Nougat 9

As he ministered to the people of the way, Saul (commonly known as Paul) was the personal recipient of Today’s Holy Nougat. Would we have been able to bless him?

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Bless and Curse NOT

As Saul, he was the feared persecutor of the Jesus Way community. He was fearless. Yet, after Saul’s Damascus Rd experience, being instructed by God to offer him grace, that Jesus Way community relented and welcomed him in.

Siblings in Christ, that’s a blessing.

When Paul – as he was more popularly known post-transformation – spoke about blessing others, he KNEW what he was talking about. The words of Jesus resonated with him, and he could say to the church in Rome, bless them who curse you; bless and course not. Now I recounted in yesterday’s reflection that this is hard. Hence it’s the Blessing Challenge. Paul’s expansion in Jesus’ words suggests that he sought to underscore the valence of the command.

‘(But) What if I’ might be a question you’re moved to ask. Or it might be ‘what if they’

I admit, there are some of those that push my buttons (like Sexual and Gender Based Violence: guaranteed to call forth the warrior in me), but we’re still called to bless, and not curse. What has been recently dawning on my consciousness is that ‘ranting’ or ‘venting’ – even for a quick minute – is part of this command. Yup, like you, I got a few ‘Forgive me please Lord’ to do.

If lust begins in the heart, and belief in Jesus begins in the heart, then that vent or rant, which is intended to villainise the other, has the very strong potential to result in harm or a difference in response to that person. That’s a big deal. For out of our mouths there ought not be bitter and sweet. While we might not have literally cursed the person, the rant was intended to hurt their character. Forgive me Lord.

Hence the call to rejoice when they rejoice … for as Fulata Moyo once shared, that’s when we know we’ve forgiven and are able to move on. Failing to move on keeps us stuck and also blocks our blessings. Yes, our Daily Bread, and forgiveness is included in that act of forgiving and blessing in the Lord’s Prayer. At least, that’s how it’s always been etched in my understanding.

So Lord, may we be channels of grace and blessings in the face of offense. Help us to live bravely by refraining from cursing others and to rejoice in their joys. Please forgive our disobedience and keep us in Your grace. Hear us oh Lord as we walk in Your Word. In Jesus name amen

May all we seek be found in Christ