Count to Ten
There are just people in this life that we deal with who come across as being pushy, aren’t there? I do believe that I have just been with one of the pushiest people I have ever met. Instantly I was tempted to get all my hackles up and to take offense but then fortunately I stopped a second and thought, “Why don’t you just listen to what he’s got to say, instead.”
What took place next was fascinating. The man I was dealing with comes from a very remote jungle village where the only church the people have is over 100 years old. The people simply can’t maintain it anymore. This man knew that Rivers of the World (ROW) loved to build churches throughout the world so he came to me demanding that I build a church in his village.
I’ll come right out and tell you that at first I was sort of offended by this guy’s attitude. Then I quickly decided that quite possibly the Lord sent him with this message, “We must have a church in this village and we must have your help.” I thought about what he said and you know it makes all the sense in the world. The village must have a church and ROW must help build it.
This means that we need your help. It is going to cost just $3,000 to construct a church in this village in Nicaragua. ROW will not only need the funding, but we will also need volunteers to help build the church. Stop by www.row.org to see how you can help with this project.
May I remind you the next time you are placed in a situation with a seemingly bossy person, stop and count to ten before you speak and then remember what James 1:19-20 says:
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
The only anger that is acceptable in God’s eyes is one in which we boldly speak out against sin. It is not appropriate for us to get angry because our pride has been hurt, because someone doesn’t respect our opinion or because someone fails to even listen to us.
