Getting a Grip

One of the things I am beginning to grasp a little bit is regarding persecution.  Frankly, I always figured that we Americans really don't have a clue when it comes to persecution, but I am rethinking that now.  True, we are not beaten and whipped or starved and kept in little cages or forced into labour, but we are persecuted. 

God was speaking to Moses regarding laws of holiness in Leviticus 19.  Verse 18 says "Do not take  revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD."  In Matthew 19:19 Jesus was quoting a few of the ten commandments from Exodus 20 as He was conversing with the rich young ruler regarding what he must do to get to heaven (note that this is not Jesus complete answer to the young man in this passage).  Verse 19, as quoted, says "Honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself."   Galatians 5 is all about the freedom of the Christian and what it is to live freely in Christ.  Paul was writing to the church in Galatia pertaining to everyday Christan living being based on freedom from the law of sin and living by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Verses 13-15 says, "For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement; 'Love your neighbor as yourself'.  But if you bite and devour one another, watch out or you will be consumed by one another."  (HCSB)

If (when) my neighbor decides to treat me or a family member like a stray dog who keeps messing on the lawn and my response is anything less than Christ-like, the situation is nothing more than one of life's pains in the...(ahem) "hind quarters".  Even if the situation escalates for whatever reason, if my reaction is towards satisfaction of my offended self, whether truly justified or not, it is still just two "neighbors" spatting.  On the other hand, if my response to my neighbor is one that wordlessly preaches the Gospel of Christ, and if he is a believer, I can trust the Holy Spirit to move my neighbor's heart towards Him, and I have then encouraged a brother, or sister, in Christ to draw closer to Him.  Contrarily, if my neighbor is not a believer, he will have the chance to see Christ through my actions and responses.  If the situation escalates because I am choosing to respond "Christ" to him, that would be persecution.  That doesn't mean that I allow anyone to speak into my life or the life of a family member any way he chooses.  I need to stand for what is right and protect my children from people who do not speak "life words" into my children's lives.  Granted, both of my sons will need to know how to respond on their own at some point, but right now, being at such a vulnerable age, I need to protect them as much as possible.  I can also trust God to protect my children (and me or my husband) when I am unable and to bridle my tongue when appropriate, and give me the correct words  -and tone!-  when necessary. 

I wonder how many situations I have demanded justice by getting in the last cutting word instead of choosing to wait and trust the Holy Spirit for my response.  And if the situation escalates or continues because I have put myself in the back seat (or the trunk, as too often is the need in my case) and allowed the Holy Spirit to take over, then it truly is Christ being persecuted and not me. 
 

The other thing I am beginning to understand a little better is that because nothing happens without God's permission, I need to trust Him for everything that happens with His permission.  If He (and He does) wants me to draw closer to Him, then these types of circumstances are not to be perceived as just one of life's hardships or "trials", but as opportunities for me to learn to trust Him.  These are times when I must step back and listen to what He would have me say and/or do before I put in my two cents worth, or two dollars, for that matter.  Is what I have to say really so important?  Will I be speaking "life" into my neighbor as I vent my displeasure at how I or a family member is treated?  Will I be adding to my neighbor's mood and fueling that fire, or will I be sparking embers of the love and truth of Christ to him? 
 

Yep, I am seeing a darker place in my heart.  I am much less angry in many situations, but I am still rolling my eyes a LOT.  I am sorry and ashamed to admit it.  During these moments, I see that I am "in the wrong".  Now, I see that I am not just "in the wrong" with my anger.  I see a dark, ugly place in my heart.  The word "putrid" comes to mind.  Green and slimy, not like a cute little frog, but "icky".  That begins to sum up how my heart looks. I have been asking God to change my heart; show me what He sees. Sometimes it is against my will to want to see what He sees, but I want my will to change to the will of His heart.  That is my prayer.   That is where I am now.  A much better place, but...sigh, what can I say?  I am still rolling my eyes!  I wonder is Jesus ever rolled His eyes...bet He did when someone told a stupid joke!