Riding the O-Fense

There is a lot of stuff we can ride the "fence" about when it comes to making a decision.

Do we want to eat at the burger joint, or the chicken joint.  Oh, I dunno, I am on the fence.

Do we wanna go to the romantic comedy or the horror film?  Hmmm.  Let me think about this.  I am on the fence.

Well, there is one thing that we cannot be on the fence about.  This one is not up for negotiation if we are seeking to live a peaceful Godly life.

I was reading this morning a book I have not come across in quite some time.  Micah, that book in the between Jonah and Nahum.  It's just a little book, but it packs quite a punch!

Micah 6:8 talks about loving mercy, acting justly, and walking in humility with God and man.  Great verse and definitely one to pause on.  But not the verse that grabbed me today.

Today, in my own egocentric "I am the center of the Universe" wallowing at 5 am because I couldn't sleep, I came upon this little diddy.

Micah 7:18-19 says, "Is there any God like you, forgiving iniquity, passing over transgressions by the survivors who are your heritage? He is not angry forever, because he delights in gracious love. He will again show us compassion; he will subdue our iniquities. You will hurl all their sins into the deepest sea."

5 am woke me with a jolt as I was consumed with how I felt wronged.  For days, anger and hurt ruminated within me and stole every bit of my peace.  Interestingly, I had just bragged about being a person who does NOT get offended.  Hmmm.  Pride got me all "Tripped" up and I found myself bruised and bloody from that fall.  Did I have reason to feel hurt?  Probably.  But letting myself stay in that place was WRONG.  I am grateful that I had my 5 am wake-up call to hear truth spoken into my heart from dear old Micah.  

Here's the deal.  Being on the "fence" about being offended is like being lukewarm.  It is neither hot nor cold.  It is neither wise nor foolish.  I don't know about you, but I want to be wise and hot.  (not that kinda hot...)  I want to love others well.  I want to love mercy.  I want to walk in humility.  I am called as a follower of Christ to love others and follow his example of loving well.  

For in my own wrong doings, and there are a lot of "doings,"  my Creator forgives, and he delights in a offering me His gracious love.  He shows me compassion, and then hurls my offenses into the bottom of the deepest bottom of the sea.  

THAT is the attitude I desire to have when I feel offended.  I have said it before:  When I feel offended, I know its usually a result of either me not setting a strong boundary, or its because of my own need to do some heart surgery.  I realized that it doesn't matter why my feelings are hurt.  That is God's job to deal with.  He is still in control and will fight those battles on my behalf.  It doesn't matter if my offenders are justified unjustified or if my emotional triggers are justified.  

IT. DOESN'T. MATTER.  I want to love mercy.  I want to walk in humility.  I want to see those who hurt me with the compassionate loving eyes of my Redeemer.  My Redeemer who pulled me from my own pit years ago.  My Redeemer who sat me on the high places and cleaned me up and put a garland of praise on my head.  Sometimes, there is nothing we can do to prevent being hurt.  We can choose how to manage the pain.  We can decide if we want to perpetuate drama and talk too much, spout off our offenses, or we can calm it down, get still in our spirit, and let the Master of our souls do what he does best.  He heals the broken and crushed in spirit.  He also is in charge of making everything else right.  

Proverbs says it well.  "A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered"  

So, don't ride the fence.  It only creates more pain and suffering.  Get off the fence, and take Micah's words to heart.... 

Delight in gracious love. Show compassion.