Galatians 4:18a But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing,

This week as I was seeking out words to share with the readers of Lifelines, I stumbled across a precious find that excited me very much. I was zealously affected as I wrote the article. In my excitement I shared it with my wife. She had a different take, one I didn’t anticipate. So I sent it to Fred without comment as to my wife’s viewpoint. Fred returned with a different concern.

I took these two counsels and used them as food for thought. The conclusion is that my discovery was not for general consumption, but meant just for me. There is a wealth of devotional writers today. Not all churches have their own staff. Each of us desire to use our gifts in service to the Lord and our readership. We all have one thing in common, we are people who not only share a word but need a word. When is it personal and when is it right for general consumption?

No matter how experienced, gifted, mature or wise the writer, we all need sound counsel. Being zealously affected speaks to the condition of an individual and has no relationship to the needs of the body. When we are zealously affected we need to look to those who know us best to have a proper understanding of the purpose for that zeal. If others are in agreement, together we can discover how best to serve to edify the body. Either way, we are not in this alone, we need each other.

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels;