“Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me.’” John 21:22

My Path Is Not Your Path

I was brought up short because it appeared to my grandson that I was judging. He misunderstood. Just because I have chosen not to indulge in certain behaviors does not mean that I judge others for participating. I don’t feel that is my job or my calling to concern myself with what others are or are not doing. That is between them and the Lord.

The Holy Spirit convicts some and not others. That is His job. What the Holy Spirit allows in your life may not be the same for my life. Somewhere along the path that may change for both of us when the Holy Spirit decides to make corrections.

I do not judge others that are on their journey. I had a journey of my own, and it was not pretty. I was putting out my pain and quieting the demons chasing me with wrong choices. I was covered in mud and God loved me, but He loved me too much to leave me that way. I am thankful that God is in the “pick up, dust off, clean up” business.

I prefer not to remember that part of my life, but it does keep me from judging or being critical of the behavior of others. Their choices are between them and the Lord. If I need to make corrections to my journey, the Holy Spirit will tap me on the shoulder. If I do not heed the tap, I may get a solid bop on the head to get my attention. I can pray for others. God does not need me to tell Him how to “fix” them according to “my” expectations.

It reminds me of when Jesus and Peter were walking along, and Jesus indicated the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. When Peter turned and saw John following them, Peter asked: “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow ME.”

Ouch. I have heard those words in my “inner ear” when I was questioning Jesus about another. I hear something like, “mind your own business, child; I will take care of My own children.” Ouch again.

I have walked with Jesus many years now and have learned, and I am still learning, to heed the “tap” or the “bop” or possibly something worse! I try to stay out of trouble by listening for His still small voice in my head, and obeying that.

Open my eyes, LORD, I want to see Jesus. Open my ears, LORD, help me to listen. LORD, help me to trust YOU with other people’s paths, and live only unto YOU and for YOUR glory.”