This whole Paula Dean thing has bugged me this morning. It’s really so amazing how sensitive our nation is on some things/people and yet how tolerant it is on other things/people. If you spend a lot of time dwelling on this inconsistency it can destroy you. But that’s not really what I want to dig into today. I see two lessons from this situation that we all can apply to each day.
First, always remember that everything you do and say is a witness to others about what you profess. We need to make sure that we discipline ourselves and control our actions, especially our words, so that we do not distract others from gaining the prize we all covet.
25 Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. 26 That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. 27 I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (GNT)
Second, lets not forget that we all make mistakes and fail to live up to what we profess. We must find ourselves willing to give mercy and forgiveness when appropriate. If we expect others to never stumble, wow, our fall will be very large!
14 “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you Matthew 6:14 (GNT)