My Most Recent Lesson…I think
I asked my wife if Jesus ever asked anyone for anything. She and I sat in silence for a minute and resolved that if he did, it wasn’t much. I asked her the question because like others, I’ve been angry a lot over 33 years of life because the world doesn’t always meet my expectations. So being a Christian I thought I should put my money where my mouth is and look more closely at Jesus himself. I mean aren’t people always calling Christians hypocrites? And granted on many occasions we earn the title. Nevertheless, I’m reading the gospels (first four books of the New Testament a.k.a. the biographies) to see if Jesus actually needed anything from people. Did he expect compassion and get upset because he received scorn? Or did he expect understanding only to be met with equivocating townspeople who turned black-and-white truths into trivialities that justified their blatant self-absorption?
I’m in chapter 7 of John and so far all I see is a man telling the truth and garnering a “Tribe” as Seth Godin would call it. When necessary, he avoided brute obstructions of his mission but he was resolute in the face of opposition. After about a week of my experiment I am deducing that I must abandon many of the sensitivities that hamstring my purpose in this world. If I’m going to be a real Christian, I’ll need to seek to save and not to condemn (John 3:17). I’ll also need to look past the many offenses that hurt my “feelings” (Proverbs 19:11). I can see where this is going. Without intending to, I’m sounding like the jellyfish (metaphor) who loves all and never gets angry. NOT MY INTENT! But here’s the epiphany.
I don’t care who you are, how close your family is and how substantial your relationship capital, you can be injured by humans. There is a selfishness in us all that preempts the ability to be both logical and compassionate. It’s the kind of narcissism that can make you mad that you weren’t invited to a funeral when you should be comforting the family in mourning. There again, if allowed, your conceit will move you to judgment of a J-walker lying in his own blood in the street instead of sympathy you should exhibit as you call for medical assistance.
See at the end of the day, we demand too much. Understand that justice is a perennial benefit to our society for which we should always contend. But one of the ways we bring justice is by living truthfully like Jesus and leading with clarity of purpose. Jesus seemed like to the kind of person who could be betrayed by a close friend, feel the sting of the relationship breach and perceive that this quality is in men. Therefore, my world is not undone. People betray people. But that’s not the revelation. Check this out. Jesus knew what people were capable of, suffered ridicule and torture but kept his mind on his purpose – to save.
To me it’s simple. I’m here to save, not because I’m better than anyone, but because I’m just like everyone. It is the misery we hold inside that drives us to hurt others. I dare you to suggest otherwise. So whether the driver in the #5 lane cuts me off or my brother stops calling me because I had my best friend as my best man in my wedding, the principle is the same. You’re going to be disappointed in life at the hands of people…relatives even. I’m learning that Jesus came to save and sometimes that just freaks people out but I’m down (as we used to say in L.A.). If that’s how he rolled, that’s how I “wanna” roll. Let’s wage war against all of the enablers in the world.
Posted: by Norman Anthony
Category: Uncategorized
Awesome stuff!!!!
I have recently talked with a dear friend over the exact topic. We had come to the same conclusions. It’s hard, this thing called life. Learning to balance our thoughts with all of the different emotions and feelings we go through. But thats the beauty of this Christian walk, it was never supposed to be easy. After all if the Word says we are overcomers in Christ Jesus, there must be something that we need to overcome. Selfishness, that is the very core of our flesh, that is what drove Lucifer to fall. What can I get out of this? How has this person treated me? Do they deserve my compassion? The funny thing is, I think in every relationship we have and the circumstances that surround those relationships, we could rationalize or reason a offense. Whether it really happened or not. There is a book by John Bevere, The Bait of Satan. In which he describes how Satan baits all of us to look at every person and circumstance, and look for an offense. How was I offended? Then you are hooked, like fish on a pole, getting reeled in.I think you said it Norman. We as Christians need to folllow the example given to us. Just serve, be that salt, light, witness, and ambassador. SO LETS GO REPRESENT!!!!
P.S. I had a situation where my Best Friend stood as my Best Man while my brother stood as a groomsman. Though it may have been awkward, it was the right choice. Not because I had something against my brother, rather because of who my friend is and would always be, My Armor Bearer.If it did hurt my brother, when he tells me that, I will apologize. Not for doing it, but for huerting him. In the mean time I will always love him and get his back. Even if he still holds that against me. Sorry just thought I would share…..
Dude. Brian I echo you man. We have to man up to follow Jesus and I’m surprised it never really resonated strongly before…the notion that we have to stay true to principles and purpose consistent with out belief. The thick skin has to come or else we’ll be hamstrung by the cutting wounds of words and ostracism by those close to us. We ain’t enduring anything unique and if he suffered….well you know.I’m representin’ with you B.
All anger is not sinful, because some degree of it, and on some occasions, is inevitable. But it becomes sinful and contradicts the rule of Scripture when it is conceived upon slight and inadequate provocation, and when it continues long. Wilson Mizner
Just found out someone has been holding anger toward me for over a year. I certainly haven’t been thinking about it, didn’t even know there was anger there. I operate from a place that if someone does something that bugs me I automatically assume that it was not their intent to do so and I let it go. How much more can we focus on what is ahead if we are not consumed with what is behind. How much more healthy will our relationships be if we assume the best, instead of looking for the worst. While it is tiring to have someone confront you in their anger,to come to the realization that their anger is theirs to bear and not a reflection on you, nor yours to carry, is an extremely liberating understanding to come to. If a person is feeling an unreasonable amount of anger toward you, chances are, their anger is not a result of something you have done, nor is it a reflection on you. It is something that needs to be dealt with inside of them between themselves, God and maybe a therapist. Anger is so destructive physically and emotionally.
To finish up bringing this back into FOCUS. Focus on what you do want. Do not focus on what you do not want. Your focus is what drives your compass so if it is leading you to what you don’t want, that is where you will naturally head. It is a practice to put aside the thoughts that will lead you in the wrong direction and the minute you become aware of it, cast it aside and think on the things of what you do want. Think on these things…