Are You Open to Correction

[Ramez5]

Heb 11:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

This verse really caught my attention this morning. Mostly I was struck with the huge responsibility that our leaders carry, whether they be pastors, teachers, or husbands (though this mostly applies to pastors). Just the idea that they will one day have to give account for the souls under them and how to make that a less burdensome thing for them.

We all understand this principle as parents, but once we are adults it's easy to feel no one has a 'right' to correct us. Just as we parents feel a heavy burden for the souls of our children, so our husbands carry that burden for us and our pastors carry that same burden their church members.

I had to ask myself.. do I take this injunction seriously? When Tim sees some direction I’m taking in my life.. some step.. some idea, does he feel free to say "Honey, don’t you think you ought not to do that, go there, etc? Am I willing to submit to any of our pastors if they see some area that needs work?

And would we not be willling to comply.. knowing they only care for our souls? Most people are trying to help when they get up the courage to 'mention' something to us. How good it would be if our leaders and our husbands could feel free to ask those questions and make those suggestions knowing that we would cooperate without offense.

Maybe in a perfect church or marriage scenario, there would never be any hesitation on the part of any of us either to say something if they are concerned… or to cheerfully comply on the part of us under leadership. So many ills could be avoided! So many mistakes… and then so much growth.

I do really believe too, that it ought to go both ways in marriage.. in a loving way of course.When I think of how many times in the past, Tim hesitated to suggest correction because he was afraid of my reaction, it grieves me. Such a wasted opportunity to grow and to be spared trouble. It could have been a joyful interaction.. and it should be one now.

Today, I pray the Lord will open my eyes to new ways I can submit and be more open, whether it’s a suggestion from the pulpit..or a personal chat because they only want our good. Praying I could be in such a proper state in my heart that I would welcome Tim’s corrections and suggestions or from any of my leaders.

We would all grow so much if we could just have a humble heart and respond positively to correction. It would free leaders up to do their jobs with joy.

Today, I just feel prompted to pray that we could have more of this give and take in a free and joyful way in both our body and in our marriages..for the good of everyone..and real fruitfulness. And I’m especially thinking I should pray more for our pastors.. that the Lord would give them the strength and grace they need to carry this out as I’m sure it can be a heavy burden at times.

Love,
Donna

PS.
Wow.. the more I think on this the more powerful this verse and it’s implications become! I can’t help thinking.. why wait til they have to ‘talk’ to me.. If sanctification is really what I am after.. why not just talk to one of my leaders (husband, pastor, women of grace leaders, and say..is there any thing that you think could I could be working on .. to help me in my Christian walk? It would be painful in some ways, for sure, but oh how wonderful it would be too, to have help with those ‘blind spots’. And if you multiplied that times everyone in the church… particularly those strugging with some issue or difiiculty (as I have often done myself)..we’d see so much more growth and joy in our body. I guess it’s just pride that keeps me from seeking that counsel, but I am praying I won’t make that mistake in the future

[Mary Naeem]

Thanks Ramez

[walaa farouk]

Thanks Ramez