Do You Stir People Up? Do You Stir People Up?
Have you ever known someone who just stirred things up by their comments, actions, and activities? I think most of us have. When you consider those people, have you ever truly analyzed why you feel "stirred up"?
- Was it their message - what they were saying - that emotionally affected you?
- Was it their motive - the fact that you did or did not understand where they were coming from - that raised your ire?
- Was it their position - who they were or claimed to be - that worked you up?
But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” Luke 23:5
I would submit to you that the way we respond to "stirred up" situations truly says as much about ourselves as it does about those who stir us up. You see just because one stirs people up does not mean that person is acting in a way not pleasing to God. Jesus, the only perfect man, many times stirred people up by his comments, actions, and activities. His message was one that was very different from what his audience was expecting. His motive was not easily understood as it was based on his Father's desires, not his own. He position was off-putting to many, as he claimed to be the Son of God. However, his message was right, his motives were pure, and his position warranted his actions. In short, the reaction of the people spoke more of themselves than of Jesus - as he was acting in a way pleasing to his Father.
As we listen to people in our lives, let's strive to ensure that we do not confuse someone who appropriately stirs things up with someone who is acting in a way not pleasing to God. It's incredibly easy to inappropriately assess someone's message by not really seeking to understand that message. It's incredibly easy to inappropriately speculate about one's motive beyond what has been readily apparent (only God truly knows one's heart). And it's also incredibly easy to inappropriately judge one's worthiness to act, based on our view of their position or lack thereof.
Yes, there are people who do inappropriately stir things up and we need to carefully consider how we respond to those people. However, we also need to carefully consider our response to those who do appropriately stir things up so that we ensure we respond in a way that helps us best spur each other on toward love and good deeds.
Conversely, let's not be afraid to appropriately stir things up, but let us carefully and prayerfully consider our message, our motive, and our position before originating any communication that could cause others to be "stirred up".
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
9:59:07 AM 
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