A situation in my home that has recently become a moment of discipline is when I ask one of my children to relay a particular message to another child and it's not appropriately carried out. Take the following example:
"Honey, will you go outside and ask X to come in please?"
The child runs off, quite pleased with her new-found, promoted status of Messenger-with-a-Parental-Backed-Directive.
She throws open the door and, with much more force than necessary, yells "Mom says that you need to get inside. Right now. And hurry it up!"
Did my messenger-in-training get the job done? Technically, yes. But only because the message produced a portion of the desired outcome. the sibling ended up coming inside.
But were those my exact words? Was that even close to the heart in which I said it?! Did it leave the sibling secure in the fact that she is loved by the one for whom the messenger speaks? No. No. and No.
So did Messenger Girl even come close to representing me and what I was hoping to communicate to the child outside? Not. at. all. She came across as mean and angry and annoyed that the child had even dared be outside in the first place.
Okay, Messenger Girl. We need to have us a little chat about responsibly and lovingly relaying a message. Mkay?
God has called us to be a prophetic people....
"Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NASB)
...which simply means that He wants to communicate his heart to us. to speak to us about someone and their situation so that we, in turn, can share what we heard with that person. to bring divine life, hope, and encouragement.
"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort." 1 Cor. 14:3 NIV
But how often do we only get the general message right? falling short in conveying the HEART of God? How often do we speak the technical words, but not the spirit of what was heard? How often is the person receiving the Word left with a "spiritual residue" of something other than the Love of God?
I want to be careful to adequately represent Him...
“We are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20, NIV).
...You know, since we ARE addressing his children and all. The Apple of his Eye. Because I know when I am misrepresented by my child to another one of my children, it truly makes. me. mad.
Father, it's my sincere prayer today that whenever you entrust me with a message for the "sibling outside," that I would speak it with humility and love. Not only getting the words right, but also being a carrier of your heart's intent as well.
