"Always embrace the common humanity that lies at the heart of us all." - Dalai Lama
Not a day goes by that a word spoken or action done against a person does not touch our lives. Whether it be something done to us or to another, inconsiderate actions and unkind words affect us all each day. Listening to the evening news on television or radio, reading the headlines in the newspaper or on the internet home page, life cuts to the heart of a man, woman, or child. Words spoken in disapproval, criticism, or just because we are having a bad day and want to "vent" or kick the dog are improper responses. We who are called by His Name have a higher obligation to ourselves and each other, because we know better. Even so we each still fail miserably. When we experience hardship and struggles it is so easy to take out our feelings on someone else, justifying our deeds by saying "I'm only human." Yes, we are human, and God knows that, but should it be the pat response for our inconsiderate actions or condescending words? We each have opinions, but should we pronounce judgment on another or make harsh remarks about another or ask why this or why that, as if we are perfect in all our ways? We each have a responsibility in this world to be understanding, considerate of another's feelings, customs, beliefs, or cultural upbringing. We as believers and followers of Christ need to focus our attention less on what is right or wrong in our own eyes, and set a watch on the words of our mouths that hurl insult, judgment, criticism, mockery, or unkindness, and to consider that what may be funny or amusing to one person is not necessarily how another person may conceive it. Paul expresses the rules for holy living as this:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14
Recently I have encountered situations where the unintentional words of another severely crushed the spirit of a very lovely person with whom I am acquainted. A person who daily listened to inconsiderate remarks hurled against others who then justified the cruel, insensitive remarks and critical behavior because of her own personal needs she felt were being neglected. I cannot tell you the number of times I hear the words, "It just isn't fair!" Quite honestly those words sicken me to my core, because if life were fair we would all be sitting in hell without a chance of redemption. Things that happen in life may not be "fair" or "just," but God is not a puppet master, or to quote my son (without the expletive) "God is not a vending machine." We are to rejoice when good things happen to others, cry with them when they are hurting. We are becoming so desensitized to the feelings, the hopes and the dreams of others, because we are too preoccupied with the "I" factor. The word, "Sin" has the middle letter "i" which pretty much shows us how God views things. Sometimes I think blaming others feeds some sick need in the accuser, so he can survive the issues not being dealt with in his own life. We have to see past ourselves, deciding to trust God, truly trust Him, not with lip service but with true actions and deeds, not focusing so much on ourselves but on the feelings of others. And, if when we fail, as we surely will all do, we can have the accountability to seek forgiveness of the one whom we have hurt or offended, owning up to our mistake, taking responsibility, and in so doing saving the life of another and ultimately our own. I don't know how you want to live your life, but I want to live a life of Christ-likeness, letting the world see that the prayer of my heart is this: "Lord, may the words of my heart and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) The choice is ours.
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