It is astounding how
quickly we turn aside to some vulgar strategy for solving our relational
problems! We get angry, pout, pull in
allies, defend ourselves, sulk, hold imaginary conversations in our heads, plot
revenge, nurse grudges, take out our frustrations on others. Yet have we considered the response of
Habakkuk to the coming onslaught of the Babylonians? I will stand
at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will
say to me, (Habakkuk 2:1
NIV) We would rather do ten thousand
things other than watch for God and look to see what He might say about our
relationships. We forget in a
millisecond the astounding work Christ has done for us on the Cross. He did not die the brutal death to get us
independent and up and running. Through the Cross He became our husband
spiritually but not figuratively.
Literally He has joined Himself to us in a perfect union of love, faith
and hope. Consequently, every
relationship we have can be worked through that triplet because God is in
us. Love, faith and hope will each
become the guiding force of Christ in the community God has given us if we
would just watch and look for what God
will say to us. Any fool can get mad
when he is frustrated by someone's bad behavior. Where is God in the sulk, in the
grudge? What miracle of the Cross is
found in the bitter feelings? If we are
born-again, there is no enemy beyond the reach of the love, faith and hope God
has given us nor is there a relative or friend Christ cannot take back into our
hearts. Just one look at the word our
Lord has given us will correct us if we are watching for it and the miracle of
the Cross will awaken us again to Christ in us, the hope of glory.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I
tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may
be sons of your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
No comments:
Post a Comment