Hurt!

This world is not always an easy place to live in for so many reasons, one being that even the people who love each other, hurt each other sometimes. As Christians, we seek to live a life that is not selfish and self-centred, but instead one that is first focused on God, and then his people, yet in our fallen state we fail. We never set out or intend to hurt others, and yet we do.

What really fascinates me is this: When we hurt someone else, if we are the kind of person that seeks reconciliation and if we in fact know that we have hurt them, we apologise and try to achieve restoration. Yet when someone else hurts us we seem to find it so difficult to comprehend and then furthermore, to get over the anger or hurt their transgression evoked in us. I have watched in wonder at people hurt others and act selfishly but then turn around and hold somebody else at ransom for doing a similar thing.

It seems all too easy to merely say that God extended grace to us and that we should do the same. When we say it so simply and flippantly, it seems to not carry the weight that brings us to change, nor does it have a connection with our hearts in terms of how we treat other people. We know in our heads the truth of what God has done for us, we know in our minds that God extended grace to us, but we still continue living in the same ways and only extending grace if and when it suits us, or our hearts will allow.

It astounds me even more how easily we see the sin of others but are incapable of seeing it in ourselves! Even and especially when it is exactly the same sin.

There are two stories that come to mind in being oblivious to our own sin. The one is a parabale told by Jesus and the other is a story of a real man who lived life on the same earth we do. Matthew 18:21-25 is parable that Jesus told in reponse to Peter's question on forgiveness. A king extended grace to his servant and released him from his debt, and yet the very same man punished his own servant. It really makes me sit up when He says that if this is how we deal with others, then this is how God will deal with us! Ouch!
In 2 Samuel 12:1-13 Nathan is sent to David by the Lord to make him aware of his own sin. The way Nathan does this is very smart and makes me think a lot about how I can become more aware of my own sin. He tells Nathan a paralled story to David'ds life. Of course Davis is easily able to see the wrong, and even gets angry hearing this story. But it is only when Nathan says to Him "You are the man!" (not in a good way!), that he able to see his fault.
How am I then going to be able to repent of sin I do not realise exists within me!? My answer is this: By meditating on verses like "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
And then when looking at others sin, using that as an opportunity to question my own heart and determine if in fact the very same fault lies within me!

This post started out as an endeavour to figure out a way of dealing with the hurt we experience and cause. As sinful people we will never eliminate this. And yet in conclusion I realise that it is not the hurt that needs to be dealt with in such a radical fashion (although that aspect is important for restoration), but it is really our relationship with God, the re-awakening of what he has done for us, and then the realisation that we do not see ourselves as we ought. We are recipients of grace that we do not deserve. We sin. We mess up. We fall. We disappoint. We fail. All. The. Time. And yet God showed us love in an incomprehensible way. Knowing this, we should at least attempt to do the same.

So it has been a while since I blogged. I have quite a number of posts that are half written, imagine the task of writing a book!
But I always love to go back and read my previous posts because it reminds me that through the ups and downs that God is always at work in my life.

Whether we feel God's presence or not, whether we feel weak or strong, whether we are in a deep valley or soaring on the wings of eagles, God is ever-present. He is always there. He is always working. His patience abounds. And his love evermore.

This weekend I had the privelege of being part of a beautiful and very special wedding! I could tell you about the stunning bride, and boy was she looking amazing!, or the smart groom. I could tell you about the delicious chocolate cake (that I only got a few bites of mind you, before we were whisked away for photos), or the apple strudel that was made while we were watching, or the deathly divine chocolate mousse, whaaat!? I love chocolate ok! ;) I could tell you about the crazy fun times with old and new friends, making memories and then ripping up the dance floor. Yes I could tell you about all that and so much more! But what I really want to tell you about is about is God in a wedding.

In this couple God orchestrated the most beautiful love story from their meeting to their wedding day. Some people say how can God be concerned with the minor details of life, yet I have seen it play out. Two people that love him and his hand guiding them. The speeches were a testimony of their character and love for God and people. And the best man summed it up an an apt sentence, and I paraphrase,"The world is a better place now that the two of you are together".

That got me to thinking... is the world a better place for having me in it, am I a blessing to those around me? Is my love for God evident in my life? And is my love for people obvious?
Yes! Not to those questions, but Yes! God is at work in my life and in my heart even in the midst of a happy and beautiful wedding because two people said "I do".

Photo by Craig Mannheim
Unprecedented Pictures
http://unprecedentedpictures.co.za/