Hi
There’s a relationship cartoon floating around cyberspace about ‘how the fight began’. It takes seemingly innocuous comments, ostensibly made by a husband to his wife, and demonstrates how they may be construed differently … ‘and that’s how the fight began’ … It is somewhat funny and yet, not quite – as perspectives differ, and one who has been aggrieved in one of those situations might not hear it as funny. Before bemoaning all the thin-skinned persons around us (and some days I am among that number); let us be reminded that past issues sometimes compound someone’s reactions to us. It isn’t always immediately about our actions. But, while that may be so, today’s Holy Nougat invites us to think about a different way of living:
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 NLT
With all those hurts and issues out there, how then do we move forward? For, based on my own experience, some of us folks who are thin-skinned tend toward being porcupines – our hurts prevent us from sensing when we hurt others. And when we ask others to tiptoe around us, their feelings are denied.
We note however, that the mandate doesn’t come with a caveat that precludes us thin-skinned persons from being peace-lovers. Nor does it afford us thick-skinned believers the right to run roughshod over others’ lives and feelings. Not one bit.
What we are invited to do, is to be intentional about living AT peace with each other – that’s a full-time, lifetime job that may seem only to come with retirement benefits. Hmmm-hmmn I sure nuff know a few porcupines who challenge the peace process (wait a minute, did my conscience just tell me start with my mirror?! Like really) On any given day, we may find ourselves being challenged by the small stuff. Far too often, when we leave the presence of the peace disruptions, we manage to take the disruption with us. That’s not the way it should be. No way.
Our call to holiness IS contingent upon our demonstrating peace in EVERY moment (I think this is where I cringe – so many times I’ve failed at this). Every single moment. Not by our strength – human strength might wane – but by God’s Spirit and God’s Spirit only. God’s Spirit equips us with the Armor of God (see Ephesians 6); which includes the preparation of the Gospel of Peace for our combat boots! We be styling! We be living.
Sometimes it requires forfeiting our ‘God-given rights’; sometimes it includes standing up for our rights. It’s only by God’s grace that we can know the difference. And that comes from being attuned to the Spirit of God at all times and in all spaces.
I pray us grace for the journey as we walk in peace on this earth.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
