A Character that Reveals

 When you love your enemies, 

you reveal what kind of God 

our God is. 

I was thinking today about how stubborn we are as people sometimes. Oh, I know...probably not you, it's just me! When we get our knickers in a knot about something, we just can't let it go, and it threatens our very peace. It's ridiculous, really. It only takes a few of those "knots" before I find myself all twisted up about everything, and suddenly I find myself pretty worked up. The complicated part of this is when we get worked up about people–especially people in our own circles. This is how petty arguments, grudges, and sometimes complete ice-outs start. We then wonder, "how did this start?" Well, it's usually a combination of us, us, and a little of them. 

I was reading something today that said, "Remember the concept of 'enemy' is not a permanent state but a temporary position." In further explanation it went on to say, "those who persecute us today may, in God's grace, become those who protect us tomorrow." Think of Paul, who went from an enemy of Christians to a great preacher! Because we are transformed by the love of God, by his grace, we will not stuck being in a permanent state of anything bad, negative, or adverse if we allow ourselves to be changed. Can you imagine harnessing the power of the most evil person you can think of today and having it instead be used for good? That's our guy Paul, loosely described. That's what happens when we allow God to have and use every bit of us, past and present. 

I was struck by those words, "temporary enemy." When I wrote "Butterflies in Bloom" in the book, Thoughts From a Friend, co-written with my dear friend Norm Sawyer, these types of changes are what I was referring to. We can transform from an enemy to a friend by the choice we make in our hearts to walk with the Lord and trust Him with our lives. We don't have to always be known by the persecution we've brought onto ourselves or to others. Every bit can be transformed into something good and useful in God's hands. 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one could boast before him.

It would be so easy to judge, argue, fight, and ice people out if all we did was watch the news all day or scroll social media and decide to point fingers at who we agree with and who we think are wrong. But that isn't what God commanded us to do, and we are falling short when we reduce ourselves to this temporary position. The world and all of its issues is temporary. Even our opinions are, if you think about it! 

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28

Love your enemies and do what? Do the impossible, it seems, right? How did Jesus love us when we are/were His enemies? Good question, and I'm not sure at my level of spirituality I even have the best answers, but He loves me right where I'm at. He loves me when I'm being a messy mess, and He loves me when I'm doing everything to be a loving, encouraging woman of God. He loves me when I am not doing what I should, and He loves me when I am. He died for me when I was wrong and making a mess. Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. By doing so, He teaches me that I don't have any business judging other people's messes. It sure is easier than loving them, isn't it? Well, we think it is. That's the hard human part of us. Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Ouch!  Peace comes when we stop trying to change everyone else and we start learning how to love, in spite of it all.  

I don't get to decide that "today I am the judge of so and so" because I saw what you posted on "such and such." No. Because there either was a day or will be a day when WE are someone else's "enemy." There will also be a day when that person or we will be the protector. When we choose to be understanding and compassionate instead of judgmental, we will be able to love our enemies the way God does. Maybe I'm still in my "Pollyanna Era," but I do believe we are stronger when we work together for a common goal. But we all have to want that same goal too. 

We are transformed by the love of God and by the example of Jesus that He set for us. Will it be easy? Nothing about being a part of this imperfect world is easy, but we can be a part of it that shows the world the character and the love of Jesus. 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even while we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

Remembering the Professor

  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. 

Micah 6:8 

I frequently peruse the obituary section of my local paper. Don't ask me why–it's always been a habit of mine. If I ever come across my name in there, I'll let you know. A few weeks ago I came across the obituary of someone whose face was vaguely familiar. I looked at the name, and something jostled in my memory. I toggled the recesses of my mind and stared into his warm brown face with the gentle brown eyes, and it came to me. This was my Honors Political Science professor from college. I hadn't seen him since my first semester of school, when I walked into his class as a young teenager.

The memories of his class came flooding back. Not so much all of the lessons, though I shocked myself into receiving better grades than I ever had in my high school Government class. This class–this soft-spoken professor–had piqued my curiosity and I found a place in me that began to grow in knowledge, not just regurgitate useless information from an old textbook. He loved students and teaching, and it showed in his eagerness to share his wealth of information.  I had struggled with learning at different times throughout school, but had discovered my learning style and my confidence in college and it showed in the new grades I had been earning. I mentioned that the class was honors because I found that the smaller class and more hands-on, conversational and focused learning was what helped me to excel. 

This class also happened to take place during my first year as a registered voter, and I had not really paid attention to or cared much for political topics before, other than Jimmy Carter (and daughter Amy) was my favorite and he liked peanuts!  Sure, I heard my parents talking and I knew where they stood on candidates, but I had my own mind, and I was new to the world in many ways, having just stepped into college as a fresh adult.  I really wanted to honor that part of myself that was curious–about people, about issues, about the world, and where my place was in all of it. If I was going to vote, it would be my vote–not just what my parents believed (unless I agreed, of course!). 

When my professor spoke on the upcoming election, I began to learn something very important about him, and it's something I've never forgotten my whole life. He said at the beginning of our August term, in his low, soft Spanish accent, that we would never learn what his "political leaning" was. We would learn instead about more important things. And he stuck to it. Not once could we detect a favoring of one side or another, nor did he judge, cheer, or sneer toward any student who did. Not so much as a blink or sniffle when strong opinions came flying from the back of the classroom! We all joked, trying to figure it out, but we never did! I came to find a true comfort in this kind of presence and indulged myself in it, knowing that this was the way people should conduct themselves when wanting others to learn, and more importantly, to listen. I was so young, yet I look back now and I know that his example colored everything I believe today about getting along with others when it comes to the delicate subjects in life. (I didn't say I was successful at it...yet)

They will be celebrating his life later this month. As I read further in his obituary, I learned more about this man who was responsible for shaping my political mindset. This is just one paragraph of several that described him:

"This look at --'s life would not be complete, though, without mentioning his dedication and passion for self-governance and the assurance of due process. It didn't matter to him who was right or wrong, on the same side as he was or not—ensuring due process was the critical procedure for sorting it out. Justice and fairness throughout everything from life at the college to life in the United States had to include due process. He taught it, and he practiced it whenever he could. This dedication was absolutely the lawyer, the professor, and the humanitarian rolled into one ethic." 

His long career was marked by several awards and positions, however, he will never know the impact he had on each one of his young students like me. 

It's another election year, and I'm long past my teenage years. I'm remembering the past few elections and how tumultuous they've been, and how I haven't always been able to "professor" my way through them with a gentle presence. We are facing yet another difficult election year, and continue to be a divided land in many ways. I'm curious about how he handled the things America has faced, and what he would have said from an American's just and fair point of view. I can only search out this definition for myself with the application of his legacy, and combine it with the practice of God's application of love and grace. My mentor, Norm, reminds me of this every time I get upended over something going on in the world. Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.  We can't control the actions and reactions of others, and we certainly can't control what happens in the world, but we can control ourselves and we can trust God. 

When I think about this in a "big picture" sense, I think about what is most important. When someone reads my obituary one day, what do I want to be remembered by? Is it how I influenced people to vote, or is it how I influenced people to love or live in harmony with one another? And if it's the latter, how can I apply love and peace to everything and everyone, every single day until the day I die? Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity. 

Challenge Update

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 

Psalm 46:1-4

I am popping in to say that I will not be posting my final fire challenge this week, and it may be some time before I will be able to complete it. My vacation was not a factor, as previously stated, as the vacation did not end up taking place. I got sick and had to cancel our anniversary trip. I am waiting for the woodstove to be installed in the cabin and then I will complete the final challenge, God willing. 

My struggles pale in comparison to the millions of people down south who are reeling from the double hurricane aftermath. While there are plenty of places to donate, it is sometimes hard to vet the ones that are legitimate. I found some pre-vetted sites on today.com if you are interested.

May God be with each and every person struggling today, whether it is with a hurricane mess or some other disaster. There is no shortage of disasters in our big world. Sometimes there are so many things going on at once, I can't keep it all straight. Thank God I don't have to. We can pray, help each other, and keep looking for the blessings we know will be there.