Pr. 11:14: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
I’ve been reading some of Paul’s letters to different churches. Being a travelling missionary, he couldn’t always be present at the churches, so he would write them letters of counsel. I flipped through and realized how many of those churches I’ve been like over my lifetime.
I’ve been like the church in Thessalonica, young in the Lord, and excited to live for Him!
Oh, but then I’ve turned into the church of Galatia. Deceived by false teaching, I would believe that in order to be accepted by God, I had to follow the law again. I allowed guilt, pressure, comparison, or the example of some to lead my away from the salvation of Jesus Christ, and into the thinking that I am saved by my works…not by God’s grace.
Then, I would find my way back to God’s grace, understanding that salvation comes from Him alone, and I would find myself becoming more like the Ephesian church. Maturing in my spirituality, truly trusting in God’s grace and His strength, walking in unity with my fellow believers, and growing in wisdom, I would be more whole.
After that season of beautiful growth, I would become like the church in Colosse. I would get distracted from my spiritual growth, and instead, grow in immorality.
Then, after true repentance, I’d be back to baby steps, starting out like a new baby trying to get back to my Savior. Feeling young and vulnerable again, I would once again be like the church in Thessalonica, excited to give my life to Christ again, and ready to begin taking care of my spiritual growth again.
Just the way Paul counseled the churches through his letters and through the fellow believers he sent their way, I have been counseled along the way by mentors, teachers, Pastors, friends, and the Word of God throughout my inconsistent journey.
I am so thankful that the Lord never let me fall so far that I couldn’t find my way back to Him. There was a safety that came from the many ‘counselors’ that navigated me through. Be encouraged today, He can do the same for you.
Certainly I’m not done with my journey. By God’s grace, I find myself currently in an Ephesian-like season, growing daily closer to Him. Although it is my hope to remain in that place going forward, I understand that until I’m home in heaven, I will never have it all together. That’s the beauty of forgiveness, mercy, grace, and renewal.
I encourage us today to be ‘counselors’ for others on their journey. I pray we will be the instruments God can use to provide the safety they need to block their fall. Let’s use Paul as our example and encourage those around us in the Lord. He’s not finished with us yet!
Redeemed,
jamie
considering the word 