Mar 28, 2009

Speaking the Truth in Love

Sometimes we're faced with a situation with a friend, where we nudged by the Spirit to speak the truth. I have faced that with family and friends, alike. I've talked recently with a close friend going through a lot of pain and turmoil about sharing the truth. It has brought me to a place of truly knowing that speaking the truth in love requires patience and prayer and perseverance and a spirit of gentleness and understanding.


SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE


As I long for Christ to be formed in me


I know it is God's way of maturing my faith


By giving me a covenant within my soul


To be true to God and faithful to my heart's stirrings



The gift of language, the gift of voice allows us


To praise and worship God in every aspect of our lives


And to imitate Christ as we build each other up


To come to the authentic center of who God desires us to be



So aware of the depth of my humanness


Striving, yet not always succeeding


Attempting, and sometimes failing


Yet still persevering with the intention of love



For the proof of God's amazing love for us


Flowing down from the cross of Calvary


Showers us in mercy and grace


So undeserved, yet so extravagant



For God binds us together--brothers and sisters in Christ


And we are a fragile tapestry--intertwined and complex, if we are honest


And speaking the truth in love can bring pain as well as joy


And God continually calls us to open ourselves


In total trust as He leads in gentleness, yet strength



Speaking the truth in love means trying to embody


A savior who speaks truth and gives light


It means making and keeping promises as He has


Making truthfulness and faithfulness alive in the world



What a challenge, yet an honor


To dare to transform ourselves


To imitate the example of Christ


Actively serving Him in this world


By speaking the truth in love





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