Ever been there? Maybe it was through words or actions others planned out deep in the confines of their tactful minds.

What’s so amazing is that at that time, you didn’t get it. They did it with such finesse that they left you speechless. It’s only later that you realize what “hit” you.

I also don't want to ignore and be silent when I see a friend headed towards trouble. I suppose that’s decency, or maybe just faithfulness to our friendship.

But not everyone appreciates correction. Maybe the word correction is a bit too much. It’s often a “nudge” in the direction that might be a better choice for them.

Or, shall I say that It’s none of my business. I just need to mind my own business and stay out of other people’s business. Let them figure out their own issues.

Pursuers? What pursuers? No one’s chasing me. But when David wrote this he had a history of being on the run. There were people who were literally out to get him. They wanted to see his dead body down in the dirt.

But me? Pursuers? Maybe there are things from the past that won’t leave? Failures, addictions, guilt of past sins, inability to forgive and just about anything that “seeps” into your today.

David turned away from his detractors and turned to his vision. That was a difficult decision that he had to make, but that decision became a turning point in his life. Without that, the trajectory of his life and that of the nation of Israel might have been quite different.

“It can’t be done. It won’t work. You’re wasting your time. It’s been tried before. It’s not your job, stay out of it.” Sounds familiar? These are the voices of detractors.

People usually want to stay away from those who are broken. They’re just too messy. Sometimes it feels like you’re walking on eggshells when you’re around such people. Why bother?

But “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18). He likes to stay close to such people. Maybe because they realize their true need of God to save them. They know there is no other way but to trust God.

I’m constantly reflecting on living well and leading well. As I write and speak, I’m thinking out loud about life and leadership. I believe you can live well with purpose and courage as you navigate each day. This will in turn help you lead well and make an impact wherever you are.

If we’re not clear on our purpose, we’ll vacillate. We will go in so many directions that we’ll end up accomplishing little. And when our purpose is not clear, we won’t have courage. The lack of courage will further make us ineffective.

Not the “evil eye” that seeks to do harm or to bring a curse. It’s the eye of the Lord. Not looking for someone to punish or to destroy. But to show his love and mercy. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:18-19).

But it’s often the other way around. We are wondering why God doesn’t care about our issues. After all, they are so important. Certainly my concerns are more crucial than those of others.

It’s easy to believe it but harder to accept it. The forgiveness we have received from God is to be accepted and acted upon. We can live in the confidence that we are not under condemnation but that we are forgiven.

"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2).

The status of being forgiven is such a blessing that it has the potential of impacting every part of our lives. The guilt and weight of sin is real and heavy. And the forgiveness that God gives is real as any sin that we’ve committed. But we must allow this reality to sink into us and to impact us.

Through the centuries, theologians have faithfully labored at the task of interpreting the scriptures. In a small way, for the last few decades, I’ve been involved in such a process too. It’s rewarding, exhilarating, and excruciating at the same time.

But I sometimes wonder about the way we’ve handled the scriptures. Because when Jesus taught the Scriptures, there was something different. His audience also experienced the difference, “and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority” (Luke 4:32).