“Sarah doesn’t have her priorities straight.”

This quote was said to me from a person I know, who knew my two friends from college, who decided to end their friendships with me for the reason stated: They thought I did not have my priorities straight. Here is my response to what this ignorant woman said through this woman I know (Even if they are reading this and don’t want to read this, it is for their own good. Keep reading if you want. Otherwise, stop if what I say or the Word of God says offends you):

“I’m not perfect. I’ve messed up. A lot of times this year, as a matter of fact. It is humbling for me to admit when I am wrong. At the same time, it empowers me to be able to be vulnerable, open, and honest with you about how the Lord is working in my life. He is transforming me and continues to transforms me. Grace by grace and day by day. During the time that I got my M.A. in Global Studies, I got into an argument with the both of you (I’m going to say it again: If you are the friends who are reading this, keep reading. Otherwise just stop if what I am saying and if the Word of God offends you).

One of you sent me an email with the statement, “I hope that we can both move forward forgiven and free.” I have a question for you when you make this statement, “Who are you to judge me for my sins when you have not even come to the Lord with your own sins and baggage?” The Word of God says in the Gospel of Matthew 7:1-5:

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”~Matthew 7:1-5~

You do not have a right to judge me where I am at spiritually when you yourself do not even know how you have sinned against me. Believe me, O daughter of God, it is humbling to admit where you have stumbled and failed God, even in your walk with Him. That is where the forgiveness begins. That is where true healing begins. That is how you can truly move forward forgiven and free. I can say this because this is what I had to do for myself in order for me to realize that I’m not only forgiven and free, but a daughter of the King too. ~”Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.~Hebrews 4:16~

You also do not have a right to tell me where my heart is. One day, I had a true friend tell me, “Thanks for sharing your heart,” after I gave a presentation on a Japan mission trip at my church. She was inspired of how much I love God and have a heart for the Japanese. It may not seem as if I don’t have as much of a heart for the Japanese as you do, but I DO have a heart for the Japanese. My priority is ministry. My priority is to serve. My priority is to love those in the world and not the world itself. Ministry is a job in and of itself because it is what ALL Christians are called to do, regardless of their background, family, friends that they have, etc. I love Jesus and HE is my top priority. ~”Anyone who does not love does not love God, because God is love.”~1 John 4:8~

Finally, I understand that you have moved on with your life. With that being said, I am moving forward too. God has better plans for me. Better plans for my life than I could ever dream or imagine of. He has allowed me and is allowing me to meet better people, who actually take me seriously and my priorities seriously, and have a genuine desire to serve God and others. As I said, serving others and ministry are my priority while Jesus is my top priority. So, your statement, “Sarah doesn’t have her priorities straight,” is a false statement and a lie and I rebuke it, in Jesus’ name. ~”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”~Jeremiah 29:11~

No. You do not have a right to judge me. No. you do not have a right to tell me where my heart is. I understand that you have moved forward, but so have I. I am forgiven and I am free. Good bye. God bless you.”