Mt 25:40
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Our travels through this world are separate yet interconnected in many ways. We all travel different paths at different times. They may overlap, intersect or flow in parallel at any given moment. Even those we have never met and will never meet in this life affect our lives and we theirs. We seem to have lost sight of that fact. Believing that what we do only affects our personal lives and our lives are only about us has harmful effects on our lives, the lives of others and the world in general. Something as simple as taking an hour-long hot shower (provided your hot-water heater can keep up) not only affects others in the household but the extra water use in a world where water scarcity is a serious issue is contributing to the disappearance of usable water. Beyond that we could discuss how heating water affects the growing power shortages and global warming. The rabbit holes we could go down on this one topic are numerous. In so many ways our lives impact every other life on this planet along with the planet itself. Our impact on others is not just physical either. The emotional, psychological, and spiritual influence of what we do and say can and does affect ourselves and others.
Treating others well no matter how they treat us is not easy. I would say it is often impossible without the indwelling help of Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us that we are to always abide in Him (Jn 15:5) for without Him we can do nothing. We are told to turn the other cheek when our first conditioned response is to strike back or flee. God calls us to do neither but to stand fast in love in Him and with Him. For at the end of this age we are going to stand before the judgment seat of God and the books (plural) will be opened and we will give account for what is written in them about our lives, our conduct and motives, our heart. This has nothing to do with salvation, that would be the Book of Life. No, these books are about the life we are living here and now. I don’t believe that there will be condemnation from God, though I fear my conscience will not fare well at times during this re-cap of my life. We must remember that it is not just what we did and did not do and say but the why behind our actions and words that will be on display.
Outside of a transformed life it is hard, if not impossible, to get beyond ourselves in this life. The first step is surrendering our lives to God and accepting the free gift of redemption through the Lord Jesus’ blood given on the cross, the power of His resurrection and the indwelling of Holy Spirit. Then we are trained up into the likeness of Jesus as we grow in love and knowledge of God. In the Bible we find frequent references to a ‘rod’ being used for defense, correction and guidance. We often equate the use of a rod with inflicting severe punishment and harm. But that is not what is generally being referred to in the Bible. When used for defense a rod is being used for protection. When used for correction and guidance it is being used to re-direct a wayward action, impulse, belief, thought, etc. And it is used as gently as possible. We humans tend to use brute force to inflict as much pain and agony as possible to impose our will on another, God does not. We belittle; God does not. We must not confuse man’s actions with God’s will. We could get into a theological discussion on God’s permissive will but suffice it to say, God gave us free will and He will not revoke that gift. Without choice there is no value in a word, thought, deed or motive. It is a matter of the heart.
All of this to say that how we treat others is a reflection on ourselves, our character, not theirs. What they do and how they act is on them. We answer for our lives and how we impact others. Each person stands or falls individually.
We are called to be loving, kind and gentle like Jesus. During His life on earth, He never turtled. He never backed down. When ridiculed He never mocked. From the beginning of creation, He always loves. He always forgives. He always stands for truth. This is the life He calls us to. In Him. With Him. Through Him. By His power.
Who is my brother or sister? They are anyone who is made in the image of God. That would be all of humanity.
We don’t know what is going on in the other person’s life. We do not know what they have experienced. We do not know what they have been taught. We want everyone to give us grace when we act badly or make a mistake. We should extend that grace to others when they act badly or make a mistake. I have heard several different versions of the following story which illustrates this need to extend grace to others:
While traveling on a subway one evening a man became irritated with three children that were running around and being very loud and disruptive. The man soon came to the end of his tolerance and spoke to the children’s father who was just sitting there with his head in his hands ignoring his renegade children. The father looked up at the man as he finished telling the father to get his children under control and spoke softly.
“Oh, I am so sorry. We just left the hospital. Their mother just died. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to tell them.”
The irritation the man felt faded and was replaced with shame.
Sometimes it is years of abuse that causes someone to be harsh and disrespectful. A kind word or a sympathetic ear may, over time, soften the scars and heal the heart. Retaliation will only escalate the situation. We have our own wounds that surface when confronted with a harsh and disrespectful person. We should not excuse their behavior. There are no easy answers. There are many ways to handle the situation depending on the setting and people involved. The one thing we can always do is offer grace and seek God’s guidance. The saying ‘hurt people hurt people’ is often true. There is no eye for eye. There is grace.
It is not easy. For many of us it is a lifelong journey of healing and restoration. Forgiving and being forgiven.
Every day I am amazed that we do not kill ourselves and each other. I don’t know if you have ever heard of an old cartoon character named Mr. Magoo. To a certain extent my life feels like a semblance of the extraordinary interventions that sustain Mr. Magoo’s trek through daily life. I marvel at God’s love and enabling power.
Like Paul, we fall short. Like Paul we strive for the crown of life in Jesus our Lord.
I am not what I was, I am not what I will be. One day I will completely let go of self-preservation and fully surrender to God. I have times of surrender some are longer than others, but I want to reside there with God. Fear cultivated by years of childhood abuse periodically rears its ugly head and fight mode kicks in. Even after the extraordinary sustaining presence of God has permeated my life I slide back into fear at times. I know that there is no one and nothing greater than God. He has protected me. Fists have been raised but not thrown, not all but some. I believe there is a purpose behind all experiences. I have learned that what is going on around me does not dictate what is going on inside me. I still prefer the outside to be going well. Unfortunately, just because the outside is going well does not mean the inside is. The opposite is true as well.
The children’s rhyme ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’ It is not true. Words murder and destroy hearts and souls. We need to watch what we say to ourselves and others. Words have power. God spoke the universe into existence.
When I fall, I get back up and run to God’s embrace. Jesus said He would never leave nor forsake me and He has not, though I would not fault Him if He did. But that is not His way. His way is loving kindness, grace and forgiveness as He uses His rod to direct and teach me in the way I should go.
God is not a respecter of persons. There is no benefit in being male instead female. There is no benefit in being one race over another. There is no benefit in being one nationality over another. The only thing God looks at is our heart and soul. He wants a deep and abiding relationship with us.
May God always help us to strive to treat everyone with love, grace, kindness, and respect.
May the Lord God bless and keep you.
May His face shine upon you.
God loves you so very much. You are His beloved.