I'm Just Sayin by Alan P. Scaglione

“Sometimes, you just gotta work it out yourself!”

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

I have this dear friend who is having to make some tough decisions about their life. Decisions that only they can make.
They have battled over the outcome, the consequence, the possible repercussions…
But, in the end, it is their decision to make.
And seriously, it really is no one else’s business.
Not even yours!

We often cast ourselves as judge and jury over other people’s lives.
Oh we say the right thing:
“I am worried that you are making a bad decision!”, “Have you thought about how this will affect your family?”
Comments like that, while best served in cases of abandoning the Christian values and going hog wild into sin,
just don’t apply when you are asking the question “Is this situation benefitting my future and… what decision is best for me?”

You see—sometimes, it is an answer that only you and God can come to terms with.
And when you both have, then it really doesn’t matter what others think.

I always tell my kids, “If I am not financially rescuing you from the ditch you are in, then I don’t have a say in how you are rescued!”
But….I tell them, “If you want me to assist financially, then…I have a say in the situation!”

We are not talking sin-centered activities. We are talking making some hard decisions, even when they are not popular.

Just brings to mind the scripture that I have always clung to:
“…Work out your own salvation, with fear and trembling” (Philippeans 2:12)

So many people try to use this as “Don’t point out my sin, I will do as I well please, and you just need to keep your opinion to yourself!”

But that’s not what this scripture is saying!

First of all, it says – WORK!
Work takes effort in application and attention to detail. Work takes concentration to achieve the best result. Work takes WORK!
Secondly, it says – Work OUT!
That implies come to a plan in place, a course be set, a goal identified.
Lastly, it says – Work out YOUR !
You can’t phone this in; you can’t ask someone to fix this for you or run the course instead of you—YOU have to do the work for yourself!

See?
It IS your salvation, your relationship with Christ, but…it is ALSO your responsibility to DO THE WORK!

I know, I know—you’re thinking “how does he get all of that out of the first three words of that scripture?”

It’s because…I also know the scripture that requires me to “Study to show myself approved, a WORKer who is not ashamed!”

So back to the busy bodies, umm, I mean, the “means well, heart’s in the right place, even if their foot winds up in their mouth” friends.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do as a true friend is…say nothing negative!
Come on…
Do you really think it is an easy decision for them?
Do you really think they just woke up and said, “I’m going to make a hard decision that people will scratch their heads about!”
Seriously?
You know you wouldn’t just arbitrarily make a hard decision, so… give them the same respect that you would ask for.

And just encourage them!
Let them know…you know it’s a hard decision, but you also know-- IT IS THEIRS TO MAKE!!
And then…you, as their true friend -- just support them through it!

See?
 It’s our job to WORK OUT OUR OWN… decisions and salvation.
But…We have to DO THE WORK!

And in the end, we will stand alone, in front of our Maker and..
He will ask “What did you do with what I gave you!”

I want to say…”Lord, I did my best—to please you!”
And hear HIM say…”Well done!”

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”