Distinctions of His People

Proverbs 18:2 ESV

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

*Happy 4th of July! On this rainy 4th, I wanted to be transparent with you and give you food for thought as plans may have slowed due to the rain. One of the things I have noticed is how people automatically categorize a person based on how they look, how they act, or what they stand for...Please, understand that when we do this, we often end up with a surprise because everyone is not going to be the way you have experienced them in the past, do not fit stereotypes, or will not exhibit the characteristics you assume or have been taught about from movies , etc. Furthermore, one of the biggest tricks is believing in zodiac signs and clumping people together from that angle. We are all individuals, and no matter how many characteristics that you encounter that are similar to someone else, that person is still going to have some sort of feature that makes them unique and different. Furthermore, just because people have similarities does not mean they are the perfect fit as a mate, friend, or colleague. What we need to do is drop the assumptions and listen to what God has to say about the person. For instance, if you get to know me, I am not some naive person that runs around wanting friends, begs you to become saved, or tries to people please....I am very wise in how I handle people, very specific about the company I keep based on my assignment of you or who God is telling me to connect with, and I pick and choose my battles. As a matter of fact, my flesh prefers not to deal with people at all because they constantly change, but thank God for the change in my heart in doing His work and knowing that no man is an island. Let's practicing first listening to what God is trying to tell us about people, and if given the green light, getting to know them without assuming they have specific duties or characteristics. As the great Fred Price Sr. once said, he treats everyone like they are a blank sheet of paper...Furthermore, he gives them the chance to write on that paper. Why can't we do the same? As they are writing, let's not over-analyze either, but learn to communicate to truly understand what the person is trying to tell us. I also encourage you to give everyone a fair chance, and not be so quick to judge one person while turning a blind eye to another. Also remember that our strengths were designed to help others in areas of weakness, and our weaknesses were designed to be strengthened by those God sends to help us. Life is about being guided by God, being open to the possibilities He can provide, and learning before living....especially with His people. Remember to be guided...