It is so easy to get caught in the trap of our own hurt! We say things like, “Well, they hurt me, they rejected me, they would never do that for me!”
I had a dagger to the heart moment this week. I came across a saying scrolling through Facebook and I know now it wasn’t by chance. God is good that way -He sees the hurt in our heart that needs healed so that we can move forward in all He has called us to do. It said, “Don’t cross oceans for people, who wouldn’t cross a puddle for you” and I have to admit for one second it felt good to read this and say “Yeah!”. It justified me. The hurt yelled out from within me, calling me back into my shell and wanting me to fall into the trap of this world.
BUT then some brave soul had to burst my bubble. They spoke as if Jesus was looking right at me and said: “NO, do it. Do cross oceans for people. Love people. All people. No conditions attached, no wondering whether or not they are worthy. Cross oceans. Climb mountains. Life and love isn’t about what you gain, it’s about what you give.”
Can you hear it Ssssssssssssss…? The air slowing escaping from my bubble of protection. We reject when rejected because it hurts. It is a knee-jerk reaction.
But what we have to understand is that we are playing right into the enemies hands when we respond to the worst in others with the worst in ourselves. He wants us to live divided, hurt, offended and upset. The Bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)
So maybe we get it on a basic level -we are not to conform to this world, but if we flip back to Matthew 5:43-48 are we really ready to go even deeper?
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.”(MSG)
Now if that’s not a good dagger in the heart of our world view I don’t know what is. Let’s be people who are God-driven not hurt driven. Let’s be people who SHINE our light not matter what amount of ugliness is thrown our way. Jesus was spit on, beaten, mocked, and betrayed. How did He respond? Oh, yeah, I remember now…HE DIED FOR THEM! If as Christ followers we don’t shine our light in the dark, who will?
Be Blessed – BE A LIGHT!