purblind lumberjacks
Lumberjacks are great judges of trees; by experience, they seem to know the tree that is ripe enough to be harvested and transported for use. Lumberjacks are not just keen at identifying rightly but also skilled (in the know-how and the strength required to execute) at felling.
Two things to note about tree fellers is the fact that they are fit for the job in that they have: great perceptive qualities and good felling techniques. It is sad, that in the matters of life, we have allowed dysfunctional lumberjacks to fell our trees. In other words, we have handed our lives over to people who are unfit to lead us rightly.
We are in an age where the use technology, particularly through social media, has given everyone the opportunity to be conspicuously opinionated. The bane of this is that people can just write how they feel about anything and begin to advice and coach other gullible people without any real empirical or revelatory basis. If you notice, these “life-coaches” which could be our friends, family, or even leaders in various capacities many a time, teach from reactions to existing happenings. What we don’t know is that some of them teach from offence; hurt, anger, envy, and the three lusts that may have happened in the past and probably still in play in their lives. These dysfunctional lumberjacks have even become masterful orators that they make the real oracles seem impotent. If you are one of them, Jesus is saying this to you…
Matthew 7:3–5 (NLT) And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
If you have been judging (deciding for, counselling) people wrongly, then you are a hypocrite! This passage of scripture quoted above, is written to us for us to carefully examine ourselves and consider whether we are really fit to help others. Could it be that the counsels we have being projecting unto others, are hidden fears and regrets that haven’t been properly dealt with? Some of us seek out to help others but end up worse than the ones we are trying so hard to help.
Revelation 3:18 (KJV) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Ephesians 1:18 (KJV) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
I believe we have wrongfully and ‘unfitly’ assumed the noble position of lumberjacks in the lives of others and thus, have been felling the wrong trees. I believe we need to call ourselves to a retreat to really deal with the issues that we have hidden from everyone else. Jesus is saying to us here that if we would take out time to retreat into our closets; seeking solutions to our deficiencies, we would qualify to be in a position to properly help others. I say to you my friend that to help others; being fit, you must be able to accurately perceive what they need. To see clearly is all.
Bolu Olatunji
Pray this: Lord, I am sorry for projecting my insecurities unto others, please help me let go of all my fears and regrets. Let your strength thrive in this weakness of mine and let your wisdom beam through me Amen.
