We all fall short.
We're all sinners. I know. Scary thought, once you recognize it.
No one, not even your husband/wife/honorstudent/favoriteuncle gets away with this one. We've all screwed up, we all
continue to screw up. And I'm not going to give you the warm fuzzies and tell you that's okay. It's not. Sin separates us from God, and separating yourself from God is embracing death. Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to be perfect, and yet we expect each other to be. "Give me grace, while I guilt trip you for your faults."
I started falling into this mentality a couple days ago. Well, no, scratch that. I've probably always thought this way, and I'm just beginning to recognize it now. A friend said something that hurt me, and
immediately I was putting on the war paint. Dougal, being a native Scotsman, would
kill me for this illustration, but think Braveheart. I was William Wallace, and I was on a murderous rampage deep within my soul.
Luckily, God prompted me to text Anna and Bethany, call Allen and my mom, and run over to John and Dougal's
before I talked to my friend. I needed the counsel of
six people before my rage was checked.
And people say community is overrated.
The point is, I wasn't recognizing that my anger, while maybe justified, was definitely not righteous. She didn't know she had upset me, and I never knew this person to be vindictive. But I let my anger overpower my reason
and my relationship.
Matthew 5:21-26
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
After I calmed down, and John and Dougal prayed over me, I went to my friend with a renewed sense of peace. We talked, and we were both open and honest. And I would say, from my vantage at least, that we're actually better friends because we talked.
Some of us are prone to great anger and messy conflict, and some of us are more comfortable with quiet acceptance and avoidance. One appears to be "more Christian," but neither is productive.
Check your frustrations, give them over to God, and communicate.
Where do you see God moving?
In my relationships with my roommates. He's growing and stretching us, and we're learning how to live and forgive, sin, baggage, and all.
What do you hear God saying?
I was listening to Sigur Ros' "Festival" before I answered this question, and I don't speak or read Icelandic, but for some reason, one of the lyrics being repeated sounded like he was singing, "I have solved it all...I have solved it all..." I know for a fact that that's not what it means, as I looked it up to be sure, but the thought is comforting, and true of God where this subject is concerned anyway. If you're interested in the actual lyrical translation, you can click here.
How do you see God moving?
In music and acrylic paints, for today. Actually gonna bust out grandpa's paint set today. Big step.
