Yesterday, a classmate from my college days was challenging the insensitivity of my post regarding Oral Roberts, in the light of his recent death, on my Facebook wall.
I am quite certain that she did not realize that my post was simply part of a much larger conversation that was occurring in newspapers, magazines, and blogs all across the land.
Nonetheless, her criticism did remain with me throughout the day, and into my prayers.
There is a certain amount of the apostle Peter in me ("Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear." John 18:10) and I strive continually to know where the line of inappropriateness lies.
However, I am also of the persuasion that this platform has given me a certain opportunity, and perhaps even obligation to speak for truth, and a right understanding.
There is a certain brood of bloggers who do nothing but spread vileness from their blogs. It is my great desire to stay far from these folk, yet, when necessary, speak for truth when the opportunity presents itself.
I have also set a clear mission for this blog in my "about page", and my mission statement.
I am bringing this all up because this morning, in my personal devotions, I came across these verses from a Psalm of David:
O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me!Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth
keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity,
and let me not eat of their delicacies!
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it.
I'm not sure, although designed to participate in an ongoing conversation, perhaps the timing of my post was insensitive.
Irregardless, I am thankful for her comment, and these verses, to remind me to watch over my lips. It is my great desire to leave a legacy for my family, share my spiritual journey with any who care to come along, have wonderful debates regarding certain theological issues, and to be light, and salt.
If I allow my tongue to get in the way, then all of these great desires go down the tubes.
Dear Reader, if I have ever crossed this line, please accept my heartfelt apology, and I seek your forgiveness.
I will continue to share the truths I find, perhaps occasionally with a wrongly placed zeal, and I will count on your comments to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Oh my soul, stay close to God, and keep watch over your lips.
