Colossians 4:5-6
“Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”
“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity, Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
I like to think I’ve always done a pretty good job of this in later years because the Lord gave me and intuitive nature. But in my youth, I had an overwhelming need for approval. I had none from my father and sought it in others, especially men. The Lord healed me of this in my fifties. It took a long time. It was hard. It was glorious to be set free.
However, I still find myself searching to impress when I feel insecure or alien, especially in casual social situations. I’m not on my guard. I find myself not listening but waiting for my turn to talk. How can I go back into bondage so easily? Because I am human and we keep going back to the sin that was our birthright.
Oh Lord! Forgive me for turning back like Lot’s wife. I deserve to be a pillar of salt and ash too. Thanks for drawing me home to you. You gently work to reveal my error and heal me. Make me so secure I no longer turn to edifying myself but rest in your approval, guaranteed at the cross. May that assurance testify to others of your love, goodness and truth.