The Blessing of Correction
“I didn’t care about consequences. Like, ‘cause I had been in situations where I should’ve gotten in trouble and didn’t, so there was no lesson taught there.”
Have you ever done something wrong and gotten away with it? I have. I’m sure we all
have. We step into a scenario where our adrenalin spikes because we know we
shouldn’t be there, be around those people, or be participating in that activity. Those
heightened senses are spurred on by peer pressure or maybe the desire within
ourselves. We take that step and then wait and hope the consequences aren’t too
unbearable. When nothing happens, we learn, almost subconsciously, that there’s no
penalty for bad actions… or so we think.
I think that initial adrenalin rush, that warning signal inside of us, is our God-given,
innate sense of right and wrong. We call it our conscience. If we listen and obey, we
escape unnecessary consequences. If we ignore and rebel, we must accept what will
come. The trouble is, not everyone pays attention to that inner siren, especially in the
heat of the moment. Then trouble is compounded when we seemingly experience “no
harm” in the aftermath. “So much for the siren,” we say.
You’ve seen a two year old child step towards a forbidden item, hear Mom or Dad say
“NO”, and then inch closer despite the warning. How much can he push it? How far can
she go and still emerge unscathed? The parent loves enough to caution before the
deed is done so negative consequences don’t occur. Sometimes the parent allows
consequences so the child can learn.
In this same way, we need each other. We need good friends who care enough about
us to tell us the truth. We need to be that kind of friend to others. To an extent, we’re all
two year olds who need help from someone who knows better. God is that ultimate
someone, but sometimes He needs a human voice to get the message across.
Allison McVay’s story conveys this timeless cycle experienced by many in life: no
correction, no change in direction, no consequences, no lesson learned, hard times.
She needed to be corrected, either by her inner siren, her friends, or natural
consequences. Maybe she needed all three. When that didn’t happen, she had little
motivation to change. Can we learn from her experience and avoid that cycle?
Can we pay attention to our siren? Can we embrace the counsel of those who love us?
Can we think about it and take corrective action? Without some form of correction we
are left to our own devices, blinded by our own desires, and destined for hard times.
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
Let’s commit to God, and to each other, that we will be a person who avoids the
entanglements that come from bad behavior. Let’s commit to be the kind of friend who
won’t let another friend walk into a scenario that might lead to bondage. Let’s be both a
giver and a receiver of correction. Because correction is not a negative thing.
Sometimes it is the most loving thing we can do for ourselves and for someone else.
Believe it or not, sometimes the greatest blessing in our life just might be correction.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving me a sense to know right from wrong. Help me to always hear You
in my inner being and help me to follow. Help me also to be a friend to those around
me, to help correct any wayward path, and live lives that honor You. Thank You for the
blessing of correction in my life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen