"Moreover, we have all had human fathers who
disciplined us and we respect them for it. How much more should we submit to
the Father of our spirits and live! Heb.12:9.
"Father of spirits" in the Mitchell
translation reads "Mentor
According to dictionary.com mentor means to act as a wise
trusted counselor/teacher or influential supporter/sponsor. Correction, on the
other hand, can be providing advice and council which may take the form of
punishment with the intent to reform, improve or rehabilitate. It is to
chastise or reprove.
I viewed God as an attitude adjuster, one who monitored my
behavior. When (not if) I veered off course, He would set me straight. He is after all perfect, and He does after all demand perfection...right?
Suppose for a moment that Mitchell is correct. What could an
attitude mentoring session with God sound like?
God: "Hmm, a bit harsh. Did you really mean to use
that tone of voice?"
Me: "Well no...but they deserved it. You saw it God.
What they did was just plain wrong."
God: "Even so, would you want Me to talk to you
like that?"
Me: "No...but if I don't stand up for myself and set
them straight now, they'll just keep doing the same thing over and over
again."
God: "Interesting perspective. In the future is this
how I should correct you? You know, set you straight?"
Me: No...but this is different. They really hurt my
feelings. I just gave them a taste of their own medicine to see how they liked
it."
God: "Well now, since you're on the job, I guess I can
resign my position as the Great Physician and let you take over. You seem to
know just what people need."
Me: No, I didn't mean it that way...but if I don't watch out
for myself, no one else will."
Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
God: "Really? Well I glad I know what you think
about my ability to care for you."
Me: No.......(really squirming now)...but You seem so busy
all the time and it feels like I get lost in the shuffle most of the
time."
God: If I understand you correctly, you see me as sort of a
slacker, undependable."
Me: No, I wouldn't put it that way... but you could show up
on time more often when I'm in a tight spot. Maybe toss a miracle my way now
and then."
God: Let me see if I've got this straight. You're
disappointed with me because I don't rescue you when you get in a jam. When
things get tough you to take matters into your own hands. So, should I treat
you the same way you treat repeat offenders?"
Me: no.....
God: Well, it seems you've finally run out of buts, so now
will you let me help you?
Without lightning bolts or caustic words, God performs radical
surgery on our attitudes and never loses the patient on the table. He doesn't
leave us crippled emotionally and stunted but gently guides us past all our buts
to the one aspect of conflict we can control...ourselves. He'll provide the
right attitude for every situation. More often He'll propose the "soft
answer turns away wrath" approach, not only as our response to others but
also as His relates to us.
I think I'll opt for the mentoring program. My attitude
needs continuous work and a consistent dose of His wise counsel sounds like a
solid and less painful treatment plan. Instead of bracing for an angry
outburst, I'll anticipate His quiet faithful application of trustworthy advice
and help.
How about you? Do you see God as the Angry Corrector or the
Wise Mentor? In the past, how has He gently worked with you to re-phrase your
response to a difficult situation? When you have blown it, how has He gently
corrected you in order to be more Christ-like the next time?
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