have you been labeled?

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."  Mark 9:42

This week i was labeled a "bad outbound sender".  While the label stemmed from technical issues and resulted in undeliverable emails, it still made me frown. It paralyzed me from sending emails to anyone outside our school system. Who wants to be labeled a bad outbound sender? 

With my boundaries of influence and communication yanked in, i was forced to wait for clearance from the authorities.  I thought how God might like to restrict us, due to our human frailties, in what we do.  Careless or incorrect sharing of Him, could cause one to fall away from Him instead of being drawn to Him.  A danger zone for all involved.

I remember what a neighbor once shared with me concerning her view on believers: "From what I see and hear, many people who say they are Christians are not anything like I want to be."

OUCH!

Father, i want to be an encourager, not a discourager.  Before i contribute to someone stumbling from their faith, please seal my lips, restrict my actions and rework my heart.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal