|
|
008._Restoring_Relationships_-_Take_the_Initiative.docx
[PD Devotional] 8. Restoring Relationships: Take the Initiative
008. Restoring Relationships: Take the Initiative “If you enter your place of worship and are about to make an offering, but you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God" (Matthew 5:23-24 Msg). The second biblical step toward restoring a relationship is to take the initiative. It doesn't matter whether you are the offender or the offended. God expects you to make the first move. Don't wait for the other party. Go to them first. Restoring broken fellowship is so important, Jesus commanded that it even take priority over group worship (Matthew 5:23-24 Msg). When fellowship is strained or broken, plan a peace conference immediately. Don't procrastinate, make excuses, or promise, "I'll get around to it someday." Schedule a face-to-face meeting as soon as possible. Delay only deepens resentment and makes matters worse. In conflict, time heals nothing; it causes hurts to fester. Acting quickly also reduces the spiritual damage to you. The Bible says sin, including unresolved conflict, blocks our fellowship with God and keeps our prayers from being answered, besides making us miserable. Job's friends reminded him, "To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do" (Job 5:2 TEV), and "You're only hurting yourself with your anger" (Job 18:4 TEV). The success of a peace conference often depends on choosing the right time and place to meet. Don't meet when of you are tired or rushed, or when you could be interrupted. The best time is when you both are at your best. ============================= key expressions ================================== . grudge: [grʌʤ] 촌스러운 영화 제목 표기처럼 ‘그루지’가 아니라 ‘ㄱ뤄ㅈ’로 발음해야 합니다. (동) 인색하게 굴다, 꺼리다. (명) 원한, 유감 (resentment) . Then and only then: 첫번째의 then은 앞에 하던 말과 이어서, ‘그런 후에’라는 뜻이고, 뒤에 and only then, 바로 그 때에라야 ~ 해라 하는 강조의 뜻입니다. . take the initiative: 먼저 선수치다, 솔선하다 initiative: 처음의, 창의적인, 솔선하는 . offender: 위번자, 범죄자, 남의 감정을 헤치는 것 the first offender 초범, an old offender (a repeated offender) : 상습범 . strained: 긴장된, 부자연스런 . procrastinate: [proukrǽstənè]길고 발음도 어려운데, 이 글에서는 자주 나오네요. ‘지연시키다, 미루다 . get around to: (겨우) 착수하다, (~할) 여유를 내다 . ============================= today’s expressions =============================== It doesn't matter whether you are the offender or the offended. God expects you to make the first move. Don't wait for the other party. Go to them first.
|
| 
|
