The Way to Life

We all have a circle of influence. People are always watching, taking note of who we are by how we function and the choices we make.

Sometimes our choices need correction. How do you respond when you are corrected or disciplined?

We have come to accept that children should be disciplined and corrected for their negative choices. It is a necessary part of their growth in becoming productive members of society. In fact, as parents we are judged upon it. Too little, too much... it is all evaluated.

When we are adults, the volume of discipline/correction of our actions drastically dwindles. We have the freedom to create our social circles. We can choose to "allow" few (if any) people to speak truth into our lives. Even then, many of us put up boundaries of how far they can go. We have an "image" to preserve.

I am of the mindset that none of us are perfect, but that there is always room to grow. In order to grow and become a better version of ourselves, we need to have trustworthy people in our lives who can speak truth with love and boldness to our actions and attitudes in life.

You know the old saying, "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose but you can't pick your friend's nose?"
This MIGHT not be true.

Boogers. They are green and gross. They sometimes hang unassumingly on the outer rim of our nose. You don't know it's there, but everyone else sees it and are repulsed by it. If you knew, it would immediately be taken care of. Unless someone comes to your aid and speaks up, it could be there for a very long embarrassing time. Is it not the same about the growth of our character?

When someone corrects us, it's not easy to hear and can be initially offensive and embarrassing. But I ask you, what is more important? Ignoring correction and help from someone so you can live oblivious to the pain you cause yourself and others OR heeding discipline to show the way of life to others? Either way you make an imprint on yourself and others. You have to count the cost, is it worth it?

"He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
Proverbs 10:17