April 27, 2016

Take Responsibility

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. -- James 3:13

We go through our days making decisions and every decision has consequences. Some consequences are good and some aren’t. But every decision has a consequence.

As adults, we have the right to make our own decisions. So long as what we are doing is legal, that is. But do we have the right to make decisions that harm others? People do it all the time.

It’s not always an easy choice. Let’s look at it this way: You are offered a new job. It means more money, better insurance benefits. That sounds wonderful. You’ll be better able to care for your family.

But what happens if that same job will take you out of town all the time, so that your spouse becomes a single parent and you miss your kids activities? It’s your choice but that choice will impact your family. Shouldn’t they have a voice in that decision?

Let’s take it a step further. Shouldn’t we then accept responsibility for our choices? We do that when things turn out well but not so much when things blow up. We start pointing our guilty fingers, trying to put the blame on someone else. Anyone else. And that just makes the whole thing so much worse.

A television talk show host yesterday talked about respect. She made a really good point. She was talking about respect in the workplace but I think it’s true in life. When we take responsibility for our choices, we are showing respect for those around us. We owe them that.

Maybe that’s especially true when our choice turns out to be really, really bad. When people get hurt. When lives are forever altered. Like when one spouse has an affair and it destroys a family.

Don’t lie about it. Don’t try to cover it up long after it’s been revealed. And for sure don’t blame your spouse for your choice. There are always consequences. Always.

So try always to use wisdom and lead a good life. Seek God’s counsel and make wise choices. Let Him guide your footsteps and take responsibility for your missteps.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Greet Enemies With God's Love

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," -- Matthew 5:44

I thought I'd misunderstood. Surely, the reporter wasn't talking about a preacher vowing to burn the koran. That is reminiscent of cross burning by the KKK on the lawns of blacks or their supporters. That was done in the name of God, too.

It's a horrible thing. Burning the koran is all about hate. Hate comes from Satan, not God. Sure, the God revealed in the Old Testament is sometimes an angry God. Sometimes we are punished for our sins -- though never to the degree we deserve. But God doesn't hate. He loves. And that is what He has called us to do.

What upsets me most is that people hear this and see "christians" as hateful and disrespectful of the beliefs of others. No one wants to learn about christianity. They aren't interested in meeting Jesus. They think they know what He stands for. They see christians as narrow-minded people intent on destroying anyone who has beliefs different from their own. That isn't Jesus at all but they can't see His face because of the hatred that stands in the way.

Jesus invited everyone to His altar. He reached out to all people, including tax collectors, prostitutes and Samarians. His love shown through and many came to follow Him and welcome Him into their hearts. We, too, should reach out in love to all those around us, including Muslims and those who have no real beliefs at all. It's what Jesus would do.