They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Living a life of grace is easy to talk about, difficult to do. Finding a kernel of love for the people who have wronged me is very, very difficult. This week someone broke into my home and stole my son’s computer. This week a former employee accused me of being shortsighted and lacking compassion. This week I was wrongly accused of something and there was no means of redress. It is hard to love these people. The ones who steal my reputation and my peace of mind and my stuff.

Christians are to be different from the world around us. That means that, though everyone assures me that I have every right to wish vengeance on these people, I should not. I have prayed for each one of these people. I have asked for peace in my thoughts and actions in regards to these people.

I don’t feel like loving them. Yet I don’t hate them. I think that is a step along Christ’s path towards graciousness. I feel sad that these things happened. I often feel frustrated that I have no defensive action that I can take. I can’t defend my son’s feelings or his computer evidently. I can’t defend my pride. I can’t defend my actions. I just have to take it on the chin. Maybe that is part of turning the other cheek. Loving the other first. Forestalling or completely eliminating the words or actions that are for my benefit only.

This type of love is not love that lets others “get away with” their misdeeds. While the corrective steps have to be taken sometimes by me sometimes by others, the difference is the motivating force behind those steps. Burglars can not go on burglarizing. If found, there will be consequences which I will support. Employees have to be let go sometimes. Responsible adults have to take responsible actions. With grace involved these actions can be taken without hatefulness, vindictiveness or even anger.

I am reminded of a referee at a basketball games. He just calls the fouls when he sees them. The game moves on. Chaos is held at bay. Through it all he stays calm because he doesn’t have his emotions tied up in the outcome. Of course the analogy breaks down a bit because Christ calls us to love those who commit a foul against us. The referee is aloof because he doesn’t care one way or the other, but we are to actively care for these people as if they are a daughter or son of God, holy creation of God the Father. Tough stuff to swallow sometimes.

I believe that Christianity is a path sometimes it is pretty easy sometimes it is pretty hard. With each incidence this week I savored a minute, sometimes a good deal more than a minute, of righteous indignation, but with prayer and silence I was able to let that fervor go. I was left feeling a little sad and in some cases steeling myself for the consequences that needed to be delivered yet buoyed by the peace that does indeed pass understanding.

Each day is a new step along the path and sometimes I’ll get it right and many times I will get it all very wrong but I will keep trying.

I wish you grace and peace in the new year.

Michelle