Been a little while since I wrote much here... but feeling the Lord telling me to get to it again! :)
The other day I watched a short video that someone had posted on FB. It was a clip of two lions trying to bring down a buffalo. After a several minutes and what appeared to be the lions victory, two other buffalo came into the screen. One of them picked up the lion with it's horns and flung it fiercely. It was obvious the lion was injured and the second lion immediately backed off. All of the posts I saw were for the buffalo. Cheering on "the underdog". Praise for the two "friends" who came to the rescue. Completely understandable comments and emotions. Very accurate observations.
Later, that same day, I was driving the boys to one of their activities and saw 3 small birds chasing after a hawk. I'm not sure the species of the birds but they were easily a quarter the size of the hawk. It was only a brief siting, as I was driving by and didn't stop to watch. However, it was apparent that the hawk was hunting either the birds themselves or their young ones nearby. Very similar to the video... the hunted and the hunter. And like the video, the hunted had help. There were 3 small birds to 1 hawk. A natural reaction would be to cheer for the "little guy". Thankful for help and support. Again, you can take some great points from this perspective.
But, contrary to these views, I found myself feeling bad for the hunters. I must admit, I have a love for lions and for hawks. But I also love small birds and would usually feel for the buffalo as well. Pondering why my affections were toward the hunters not the hunted, I was unsure of why I felt the way I did.
In seeking the Lord regarding this, I was drawn to thinking on situations in our community, country and in our world that have many taking a very strong, one-sided view. I have been finding myself stepping away from what would seem to be the obvious position and taking a look at the bigger picture. I'm not talking about morality... there are clear lines we must not cross. However, there are many issues that have 2 sides and just because we are on one side or the other, it does not necessarily make the other side "wrong".
Why do hunters hunt? Are the lion or the hawk wrong? No. They hunt to provide for themselves and their families. They are simply trying to survive! They are doing what they have been taught to do.
Without compromising morality, is it possible for us to not condemn someone simply because they do not think like we do? In many situations we cannot compromise God's standards. However, we CAN and MUST love like Christ does. He died for EVERYONE! He loves EVERYONE! He has a passion to see EVERYONE know Him! We can do no less. Instead of condemning, judging and maligning those we disagree with... love them, pray for them, bless them, listen to them, care for them. BE Christ to them.
Of course, we are not wild creatures, all part of the food chain in some way or another. We are not naturally hunter or prey. All the more reason for us to treat each other with love a respect... we are all equal and equally valued by our creator!
This said.. I have made a personal commitment.. I will not post anything that is a rant, one-sided article, or a judgement on anyone's person or personal actions. I may post something that is informative but not condemning. Do I have opinions? Sure. Do I get angry at events that are happening? Absolutely. Do I care? You Bet! Is it my job to annoy anyone who doesn't agree with me or to fuel the fire of those that do? No way! What would happen if we all decided to fill the social sites with positive blessings???? Could we possibly change the world, one blessing at a time? I believe we can! Wanna join me? And please, I give permission to keep me to my word... here, on social media, or in person.
"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." Ephesians 5:4
"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless." James 1:26
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;" James 1:19
No comments:
Post a Comment