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FEBRUARY 13-27 2012 EEW MAGAZINE
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Being serious about your faith is dangerous business. You never know when your next moment of
truth is coming—the moment when the truth stares in your face and forces you to reckon with its
brutality.
The moment when every false smile you've plastered on your face is revealed for the farce it really
is, even when you were blissfully unaware of your insincerity.
Today, I faced such a moment. My friend and I met for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants.
Things were fine as she shared some of her life's woes, but then, the subject of Steffy arose.
Steffy is a friend of hers and an acquaintance of mine. The three of us work together. I don't recall
the entire conversation, but my life changed as she said, "She thinks you hate her." At first I laughed
it off as I denied it. But I quickly became uncomfortable as the truth settled in.
The truth is that I don't hate Steffy. I distrust her and resent the fact that trust doesn't exist in our
professional relationship. But the most important truth is that as a Christian whose purpose is to
reflect His character and grace in all things, I have fallen miserably short.
As I meditated on my friend's comments, I realized that I had allowed myself to become comfortable
with disliking, distrusting and exposing what I view as Steffy's faults. To my shame, even unbelievers
have tried to give me another perspective from which to view her. But I rejected their insights,
believing that I saw something they couldn't.
It's not that I haven't been disturbed by the strong and often negative emotions that cloud our
relationship. The problem is that I have been more concerned about looking like Christ than actually
being like Him.
I have spent more time wanting to appear godly that I have neglected to handle the issues in our
relationship the way His Word prescribes. I shake my head as I think of the fact that nobody was
fooled by my form of godliness. All of the actions I employed to appear unaffected were a form—a
hollow shell. True change would have come if I accessed the power, by viewing her with Christ's
heart.
I now see that my refusal to righteously address my disappointment with this relationship, has
actually made me impotent when it comes to experiencing true change in other areas of my life.
Whenever we refuse to respond like Christ, we choose to leave ourselves exposed to our meager
power and the influence of others.
But God in His mercy will always present you with moments of truth. These moments should not be
feared, but they should be welcomed because they are opportunities to reconnect with His fountain
of grace. Like Moses' burning bush, these are times for us to grow deeper in the I AM experience—
the I AM who changes things. It is a chance for us to throw down the things that have defined us and
watch them transform when entrusted to Him.
Live It: You don't get to author when a MOT comes, but you can keep your heart ready to turn aside
when a moment comes. Pray for guidance and ask Him to reveal where you have unknowingly
blocked your own blessing. Pray for the strength to do the right thing when it comes. As you wait for
your moment, I humbly ask that you lift me up and pray me through mine.
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
coachscott@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Quoted as one of today's leading motivational speakers by Essence magazine, Leadher Coach Scott™
shares life-changing truths with practical wisdom, humor and insight. Currently, also a columnist for
StreamingFaith.com, her workshops and seminars are popular at women's, singles' and youth
conferences. For more info, also visit feliciascott.com or www.upliftgroup.com.
Follow her at www.twitter.com/askcoachfelicia.
truth is coming—the moment when the truth stares in your face and forces you to reckon with its
brutality.
The moment when every false smile you've plastered on your face is revealed for the farce it really
is, even when you were blissfully unaware of your insincerity.
Today, I faced such a moment. My friend and I met for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants.
Things were fine as she shared some of her life's woes, but then, the subject of Steffy arose.
Steffy is a friend of hers and an acquaintance of mine. The three of us work together. I don't recall
the entire conversation, but my life changed as she said, "She thinks you hate her." At first I laughed
it off as I denied it. But I quickly became uncomfortable as the truth settled in.
The truth is that I don't hate Steffy. I distrust her and resent the fact that trust doesn't exist in our
professional relationship. But the most important truth is that as a Christian whose purpose is to
reflect His character and grace in all things, I have fallen miserably short.
As I meditated on my friend's comments, I realized that I had allowed myself to become comfortable
with disliking, distrusting and exposing what I view as Steffy's faults. To my shame, even unbelievers
have tried to give me another perspective from which to view her. But I rejected their insights,
believing that I saw something they couldn't.
It's not that I haven't been disturbed by the strong and often negative emotions that cloud our
relationship. The problem is that I have been more concerned about looking like Christ than actually
being like Him.
I have spent more time wanting to appear godly that I have neglected to handle the issues in our
relationship the way His Word prescribes. I shake my head as I think of the fact that nobody was
fooled by my form of godliness. All of the actions I employed to appear unaffected were a form—a
hollow shell. True change would have come if I accessed the power, by viewing her with Christ's
heart.
I now see that my refusal to righteously address my disappointment with this relationship, has
actually made me impotent when it comes to experiencing true change in other areas of my life.
Whenever we refuse to respond like Christ, we choose to leave ourselves exposed to our meager
power and the influence of others.
But God in His mercy will always present you with moments of truth. These moments should not be
feared, but they should be welcomed because they are opportunities to reconnect with His fountain
of grace. Like Moses' burning bush, these are times for us to grow deeper in the I AM experience—
the I AM who changes things. It is a chance for us to throw down the things that have defined us and
watch them transform when entrusted to Him.
Live It: You don't get to author when a MOT comes, but you can keep your heart ready to turn aside
when a moment comes. Pray for guidance and ask Him to reveal where you have unknowingly
blocked your own blessing. Pray for the strength to do the right thing when it comes. As you wait for
your moment, I humbly ask that you lift me up and pray me through mine.
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
coachscott@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Quoted as one of today's leading motivational speakers by Essence magazine, Leadher Coach Scott™
shares life-changing truths with practical wisdom, humor and insight. Currently, also a columnist for
StreamingFaith.com, her workshops and seminars are popular at women's, singles' and youth
conferences. For more info, also visit feliciascott.com or www.upliftgroup.com.
Follow her at www.twitter.com/askcoachfelicia.
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