Watch Those Assumptions

Acts 7  ^{Life Journal 013106}

Have you ever tried to help someone you could clearly see could use some help? Have you ever got an unexpected reaction? We all have some "dysfunction" we have grown accustomed to. For Moses Hebrew brothers, it was slavery. They had grown accustomed to a spirit of slavery. The Hebrews may dream of freedom. They may have told one another stories about the little winter house along the Nile they would have if they were free but what they have experienced as normal is how to live like a slave.

 Moses assumed his brothers would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn't. Acts 7:25 (NLT) Underline "assumed." We all have assumptions. Moses assumed the slaves would want to be rescued. Mo assumed they would know God sent him. Moses assumed his brothers would love to have his help . . . . "but they didnt."

When Mo arrives and offers help backs are stiff and responses reveal the fears and perspectives of slaves. The man . . . pushed Moses aside and told him to mind his own business. Who made you a ruler and judge over us?'(v27) People tend to respond out of the place they are living. If you have approached a place of woundedness they may push back.

Lesson for the day:  What are your assumptions? I am not saying they are good or bad. I am just asking you to think about identifying your assumptions as you navigate among the people you encounter in life.

It will help you grow when you know what you have assumed as true before you receive the judgement (Who made you a ruler and judge. . . ), before you experience the fear from the dysfunction and get "pushed aside," before is it offensively suggested that you "mind your own business."

It is good to identify your assumptions. Then again, you may find that your need to rescue the slave is your dysfunction.

Thoughts to ponder: Where is God sending you to help? Where are YOU trying to help God has not sent you? Where are you Moses in someones life? What have you assumed?

Where are you the slave? Where are you open to the help God is sending? Where are open to help that is not "God-driven?" Where is Moses in your life? What have you assumed?