A Welcome Intruder

Leonard Sweet begins his "community/relationship" discussion by stating, "Life is a handicap event. We can't get to our destination without the help of others" (19). The premise of the book is based upon those two sentences. Sweet then takes 11 Biblical characters (the 12th being the Holy Spirit) and gives examples of why each of those character traits should be incorporated into our own lives.

The first Biblical example is that of Nathan. Many times we talk about the importance of accountability relationships(see previous posts). Sweet likes to think of Nathan as being an editor rather than an accountability partner. In other words, while one is looking for the wrong in another's life and correcting the wrong (accountability), the other is taking the good in another's life and editing it to be even better (editor).

You remember Nathan. Nathan had a special relationship with King David. He was allowed to say things that others wouldn't have been allowed to think. Nathan was a welcome intruder. "It's an editor's job to get you to ask the question: Is God's name glorified or smeared in my life?" (Sweet 39). The Nathan in your life must ask difficult questions for your own good. The Nathan in your life has the right motive (to help you be all you can be). Again, the difference between accountability and editing is motive. "Christianity quickly becomes Niceianity, and a Nathan doesn't live on Planet Nice, at least when we're around" (41).

Your Nathan may be a donkey (Balam), a fish (Jonah), or your spouse. Your Nathan cares about you. They've got your best interests at heart because you're loved. A Nathan has permission to proclaim "You are the man!" The problem is most of us are island Christians. Most of us are arrogant enough to think we can make it alone. Most of us refuse Nathan's in our lives.

How about you? Who's your Nathan? Who has permission to intrude in your life to edit the good? Who do you allow to tell you like it is? Have you found a Nathan?