Created by James E. Woodson III, Journal Your Journey is a daily editorial blog designed to give hope, inspire, and influence its readers to live better, more fulfilled lives. Through divine inspiration, Journal Your Journey delivers daily lessons learned centered around what it truly means to live a life led by God. As you read, we hope that you will be inspired and motivated to make a deeper connection with the Creator and that your life might be transformed. Enjoy!
This culture we live in seems to be obsessed with two things - popularity and fame. Kids grow up wanting to be like celebrities. Adults idolize and admire the same.
But the Bible says that God has plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) - specific, distinct, and individualized plans. Matthew 25:15 says that he gives us talents, "each according to his ability." Romans 12:6 says we're each given different gifts, "according to the grace given to each of us." Romans 12:4-5 says that although we are one body, we all have different functions.
Part of the problem with our culture nowadays is that we have too many "eyes" trying to be "ears." And too many "feet" trying to be "hands."
God has given you gifts, no matter how small, because you have a special function He wants you to play. Your gifts have been given to you for a reason. But that reason will never come to pass if you're trying to exercise someone else's gift.
"And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'” Luke 10:41-42
In a society that's so focused on accumulating money, fame, and material things, it’s hard to measure success by any other means. However, my newborn son has convinced me.
When I die, I don’t want to be judged by how many houses I own, how many cars I purchased, or how many yachts I've rode on. I want to be judged by whether I led my household effectively, by how I raised my son, and by whether I made an impression on the generation to come.
That’s the measure of true success. That's the one, good part that will never be taken away.
The situation between Prophetess Juanita Bynum and her husband Bishop Thomas Weeks is disturbing to me.
Over the past several months since allegations of domestic violence between the two first surfaced in the news media, both Bynum and Weeks have spoken out to address the controversy. Bynum, the victim, has held several press conferences, conducted an interview with Essence Magazine, and recently appeared on a special two-part edition of Divorce Court with Judge Lynn Toler to talk about her experience as a survivor of the abuse. Likewise, Bishop Weeks has conducted several press conferences and interviews, one in particular with New York radio station Hot 97’s Miss Jones, to give his side of the story. So, why is the situation so disturbing to me?
Three reasons.
The first is the public discourse that has taken place between the two parties. If this is truly such a personal, intimate, private issue, why are they both choosing to make it public? Bishop Weeks has even gone so far as to reveal details about the couple’s sex life. Is that really behavior becoming of a preacher? Why are these two people so intent on making this a public issue? In my opinion, the shameful back-and-forth, public display between these two completely undermines both parties’ claims that this is not about promoting their careers.
My second problem with the whole situation is their seemingly reckless disregard for the sanctity of marriage. In this day and age, when divorce runs rampant through our society, it’s a shame when two individuals, who are not only Christians, but preachers, throw in the towel on their marriage. In the midst of defending themselves through the media, neither Bynum nor Weeks have actually said that divorce is wrong and frowned upon by God. On Divorce Court, Bynum even says, “I can’t speak for him, but I no longer want the marriage.” At no time has she said that God told her to get a divorce. Or that she believes it's God's will for her to leave her husband. Instead, she describes it as a decision for her own health and her own well-being. Which is fine, except that the Bible tells us that God does not like divorce (1 Corinthians 7:10-12). So do you reconcile the disconnect? How, as a Christian, do you justify going your own way when you know that God disapproves of your action?
Well, for one, understand that divorce is different than separation. I do not believe that God calls us to live in an environment of tension and fear. In fact, 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God wants us to do that exact opposite. But, when it comes to divorce, God is just as clear, which brings me to my third point.
My third problem with this situation is the hypocrisy that I’ve seen from both parties throughout this situation. In Bynum’s case, she made the statement on Divorce Court that she loves her husband, but she loves herself more. Well, as a minister of the word, is that really the mentality that God instructs us to have in our relationships with others? I would argue that Bynum’s perspective is not of God, but her own rationalization for getting a divorce. The fact is that God doesn’t tell us to love ourselves more than other people. Rather, He tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Furthermore, he instructs us to put the interests of others before our own (Phillippians 2:3-4; Romans 15:1-3). So, as an instructor and prophet of God’s word, what is Bynum really teaching? Is this the word of God or her own thoughts and opinions?
Similarly, what is Bishop Weeks teaching his congregants when he says he “would rather push you now than punch you later.” Or better yet, when he says, “avoiding her swing to my head, I pushed her away with great force causing her to hit the ground pretty hard.” Whether Weeks was trying to avoid further confrontation or not, he still put his hands on a woman. So what are we to think when we now hear him preach a gospel that instructs us to turn the other cheek to those who would do us harm (Matthew 38:40)? Or that "he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty" (Proverbs 16:32).
In his new book called “What Love Taught Me,” Weeks makes the claim that Bynum instigated the now-infamous parking lot incident and used it to become the poster child for domestic violence and to boost her ministry. “Juanita was tired of preaching. She was tired of the conference circuit. She was bored… she needed a way out of the marriage so that she could keep her following, develop a cause that would support her without preaching and promote her secular career.” Whether his claims are true or not, I am not certain. But it does seem to me that both of them are now trying to turn what should have been regarded as a tragedy to a triumph for their careers. Weeks coming out with a new book. Bynum on Divorce Court. The divorce is still not yet finalized. And everybody trying to get glory for themselves and none to God. It all just doesn’t seem right to me.
