Much in this world has been troubling to me, especially so in recent months and weeks. I'm absolutely certain that I am not alone in feeling this way.
As various circumstances take place and intersect with my life in more personal ways, my thoughts run deeper and my heart grows heavier.
It seems to me that as we encounter difficulties and conflicts, we are more and more likely to speak out against something or someone than we are to stand for them. We disagree, so we attack. We are offended or disappointed, so we place blame. We don't understand, so we assume and accuse.
I am witnessing and experiencing this in our culture, in society, in the neighborhood, and even in the church. The gaping wound of humanity is bleeding out and very few are left unaffected.
When faced with opposition - of ANY kind - the 'acceptable' automated response has seemingly become a reflection of the perceived or anticipated ugliness, which only serves to demonstrate that the disease of indifference has indeed reached the heart. Ideas like
You SHOULD be upset by that.
How DARE they....
You DESERVE to be angry.
have become the norm.
We have been slowly convinced that a person's uniqueness, individuality, perspective, and beliefs are only to be honored and respected if they are reflective of our own. That flaws and mistakes and misunderstandings are unforgivable. And that the appropriate response to a difference of opinion is attack.
Being a follower of Christ, I take in these harsh realities and I am left looking inward. God says that what comes out of my life is a direct reflection of my heart. If my heart is FOR people, what does that ultimately look like?
The life of Jesus brings greater clarity.
In John chapter 8, we read of His encounter with a woman caught in adultery, which was against the law in Jesus' day. This woman is brought into the 'temple courts' by a group of religious leaders with the goal of trapping Jesus in an accusation because they disagreed with his teachings.
Hmmm...Public defamation to prove a point. Seems as though our current experiences aren't so unique after all...
So Jesus is facing two obvious wrongs: a woman who has broken the law, and leaders who are looking for trouble.
Now, we might presume that Jesus is a 'good guy' and that He would take a stand, speak out against one or the other; choose a side. But that's where we would be wrong. Choosing a side would also mean choosing an opponent. Instead, Jesus shows us what it looks like to be a proponent. He takes time to pause. Allows those involved to consider the circumstances. And loves them all enough to ask them to evaluate their own heart, their own motive.
Finally, He condemns no one.
This story is not a one-time occurrence; it wasn't just on this day at the temple that Jesus managed to keep His emotions in check and stop Himself from taking sides. No, Jesus lived His whole life on Earth demonstrating how to love and support and listen and guide and teach and yes, address conflict, without attacking or condemning or choosing a side. He is for everyone. He recognizes that we have no Earthly opponent and models what it looks like to be a proponent of ALL.
Friends, what if we took some time to reflect, what if we all examined our own hearts and motives, and what if we ultimately decided that what we would talk about, post, text, and share with others would ONLY be those things we are FOR? What if we stopped looking for opponents and instead became the world's best proponents?
As I have been reminded often in my heart, so I will remind you today: "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
Our children hear one underlying message from myself and my husband when there are disagreements in our home or judgements spoken about those outside of our home: SAME TEAM. I hope you hear it as well.
And I truly look forward to seeing and hearing more about who and what you are FOR as we strive to learn and grow together in Christ.
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