Galatians 4

SCRIPTURE
4:^18-20It is a good thing to be ardent in doing good, but not just when I am in your presence. Can't you continue the same concern for both my person and my message when I am away from you that you had when I was with you? Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ's life becomes visible in your lives? Like a mother in the pain of childbirth.

OBSERVATION
I totally identify with Paul and his passion for the people under his spiritual care.

UNDERSTANDING
Paul, up to this point, has been pretty upset with the direction the Galatians had been going in listening to the Judaizers.  He spends the first three chapters laying out the doctrine very carefully so that they understood.  But he is careful to remind the Galatians that the reason for this impassioned writing is because of his deep love for them.  It is important that as leaders, parents, those in authority, we remember our motivation for correction.  It should always be generated by a deep love and concern for those we are leading.  And we must always remind them that it is because of that love and concern that we have to bring correction.

LIFE APPLICATION
Lord, help me not to just get frustrated because people aren't "getting it" and so I respond in anger motivated by that frustration.  Instead let me continue to love the people that you have entrusted me with so that even in correction they can be assured that there is a deep love and concern for them.