My Way or the Highway

"'Master,' said John, 'we saw a man driving out demons in Your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.' 'Do not stop him,' Jesus said, 'for whoever is not against you is for you.'" Luke 9:49-50

This man the disciples encountered was not one of "them." He was not one of the twelve, that is. And he was not one that was associated with them. Yet, in using Jesus' name to drive out demons it was obvious He had heard of Him, had faith in Him, and believed in the power of His name. He was using His name for His glory, not his own, and not satan's. Therefore he was for the same things the disciples were.

So then, like the disciples did in this case, why do we question people? Let me start with myself... Why do I question people? Am I questioning their motives, or do I lack trust that God will use their different way of doing things for His glory? Am I being overly protective, or is it a control issue? Do I think my way is the best, most thought out plan? Or is it that I want to get the credit, meaning my motives are impure? To answer honestly, sometimes it's a mixture of all these things. 

Lord Jesus, Please forgive for the times my thoughts and motives get out of line. For the times I want the right things for the wrong reasons. For the times I feel indignant about things I should probably not have such strong feelings about. I recognize now that it usually happens in areas where I need to trust You more. That's happened twice in the last two days! Thank You for Your forgiveness in those things and the grace I was able to show myself. I certainly don't want to be a "my way or the highway" personality. Lord, help me to be a vessel of Your grace towards others, and myself. Make my motives pure and help me to be slow to speak, slow to anger, and slow to judge. I need to trust Your Word where it says that You will work for the good of those who love You, who have been called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). Thank You that You can be trusted for that! In Jesus' name, amen.