It’s a “write-off” or is it? People are not deductible. And, it’s never too late.
We received one of those WONDERFUL letters. You know the ones… with an official seal of the Department of Treasury. AKA: the IRS. They had a few questions…. about a few “items”.
You know, Things we had written off. Things we subtracted from line item 21 c part b after using a divided multiplier of .70. (I made that all up- never ask me for help with your taxes- ask Turbo tax or H&R Block? Yes. Me? Not so much. 😉
After a panic attack, a letter with postal tracking and a few cups of herbal tea, all is well. But, it got me thinking. (all that adrenaline will do that to you) Once we write something off, it’s gone. Pouf. As though the expense never existed (unless you’re smart and keep your receipts;) “writing something off” is usually a good thing. That expense is subtracted from our bottom line. YAY! We love those deductions. Written off- is a good thing, right?
Most definitely, unless it’s a person we’ve written off.
A person? Yeah, I’m not talking about taking the governments allowable deduction for dependants. I’m talking about the people we decide aren’t worth the “investment”. People we give up on. People we “write off”.
It happens when someone is too annoying, too frustrating. It happens when we pray and pray and eventually give up because the prayer seems to go unanswered. Sometimes it happens because the person just plain seems “too far gone” for even God.
I came across one of those people recently. (Ok- it was online… not in person;) But, someone I would have just written off as too far gone. Brian Welch, don’t know him? He is the former lead guitarist for Korn, a nu-metal band that we can just describe here as pretty hard-core. Here’s a pic from Brian’s book:
Yep- on the surface he looks pretty far gone. But then- God got a hold of him. When the rest of the world would have given up- God didn’t. It wasn’t too late. It never is.
Now- since I spent about 13 years as a pastoral counselor- I want to make something clear. I am not saying we have to allow people who hurt us or our loved ones to continue to do so. We are stewards of our hearts and those of our families. Sometimes we’re called to protect by drawing a boundary. That can be healthy, and, I believe, even can honor God.
I’m talking about the people we think it’s just too late for. The ones that are so lost we have stopped sending out search parties to look for. I’m talking about the Brian Welches, the elderly neighbor or the family member…. maybe the person so entrenched in a cult that we don’t bother praying for them anymore… because we just don’t see how anything could change.
Today-I’m asking you to do a quick “audit” of the people you know… is there anyone you’ve consciously or unconsciously, “written off?” Today, lets come together and pray for those people. Today let’s ask God to change our eyes- to let us see with the hope that He alone inspires.
Hope and love, that never fails, and is never too late.
1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
LoveIf I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.
Dear Jesus- I pray for the people I’ve personally “written off” I’m sorry for thinking they were too far gone for you- God I need you to change my heart- help me to see with your eyes… help me to wait and trust in your timing… and God- I pray that you would do miraculous things— bring those who we’ve written off into a relationship with you! I love you Lord- amem!
Amen. Nothing is beyond Him. I got baptized in the Jordan rive 3 years ago. The Korn guy had gotten baptized there 2 weeks earlier. So cool.
Thank you for this great reminder. With God all things are possible. All of us are hopeless without Him!
Amen, thanks for sharing this.
Great reminder *sigh* very convicting…
Wow. A guy from KORN got saved? I’ll have to read this book! They are more than hard-core…those guys…wow. What a 2×4 upside the head this has been for me today. THANK YOU!
That is wise advice Tracey. I met someone online that I sort of felt that way about. However, believing noone is out of God’s reach, I will continue to pray. Your devotional confirmed that for me.
Funny, I saw this very book in the bookstore a few days ago 🙂
So glad I’ve found your blog.
That is what GRACE is all about. Thank you for this exhortation.
Tracey, thank you for sharing with me this wonderful message. The Lord will never give up one life on earth because he has special plan for every one on earth. So just let us continue to pray .
Such a wonderful message! I’m going to have to check out the book.
Blessings~
Tracey,
I sit here typing at my in-laws home. I am reading this post and know it is for me and for them. Oh, pray for them along with me. Time is short and I fear for their eternity.
This post has really spoken to me and I am compelled to pray all the harder. Thank you.
Oh.my.word, Tracey. Thank you so much for sharing this. You are right, I have written off people who I thought were too far gone. What if someone would have stopped praying for me? I was pretty far gone myself — maybe not as many tattoos, but still far aways from Him…
Blessings to you and yours.