I Didn't Ask You To Fix Them

What is our responsibility to others in this world, especially those who are not acting "right" (read: not acting the way WE think they should)? God answered this question very clearly last year. I didn't ask you to fix them, I asked you to love them. We have not been called to change others. We are called to change ourselves. By our own good example and encouragement, others may find the desire and courage to change in themselves what would bring them true peace and happiness. By living out our lives and faith joyfully, others may "want what we have". If we are giving others unsolicited advice in order to "help" them, what we are really saying is, "You are not living up to my expectations." In other words, we are only offering conditional love. We will never attract by judging. Who would ever want anything we have if what we have to offer is condemnation? As always, it goes without saying, we shouldn't put up with or condone abuse. There are times that we do need to speak up. But abuse is where I try to draw the line when I'm carefully choosing my battles. I don't always succeed, but it is the guideline which God has made so clear to me: I didn't ask you to fix them, I asked you to love them.