In my life growing up I was always nice, not necessarily polite… But always nice. There were rare occasions where I would say things without thinking about them, and I would offend someone… But never on purpose. It was always an issue. I saw the best in people, and many times ignored the worst, and it would get me in bad, dangerous, situations. I didn’t want to offend so badly that I would always put my heart and my relationship with God on the line. I also always put how young I was in front of God. Crying out to Him, “I am too young to do what you are asking, and I don’t want to grow up!” It honestly was not an excuse. I felt young and stupid, and in my mind knowledge and growing up always produced pride, following a big painful fall.
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.” ESV Jeremiah 1:4-8
You can’t be in a relationship with God and not offend. It is impossible! It’s apathetic! And it’s down right stupid for us to think that we can. We are to be the light in a world of darkness. You can’t be a light and please the dark. Which mean I think you are going to be a little offensive.
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
The word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” Then the Lord said to me, “Out of the north disaster shall be let loose upon all the inhabitants of the land. For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the Lord, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” ESV Jeremiah 1:9-19
Can you imagine God telling you these things? I don’t think God is going to tell you stuff this important if you are an unoffensive person. I challenge you to check yourself. Are you pleasing people? Or God. Being offensive does not mean you have to be a jerk. actually you are to always show Gods love, but if God is telling you something… And your beating around the bush because you don’t want to offend, you may want to pray into that a little. Just learn your Fathers voice, and if you don’t know how to present something, ask Him how. And if you mess up a few time don’t fall apart. Just return to your Father, sit in His lap, and talk to Him. Taking your troubles and fears to your daddy creates relationship, He loves it! It also takes gossip out of your life. And after a while you are so close to your Daddy, you really won’t care what people think.
May God bless you yet stab you in the heart.
Have a great life!
Allie E. Doss
