You know sometimes I get mad. I get irritated and frustrated with people and things. Some of the things I can effect, and some of these things effect me. In life, there are many offenses. One can be simply awoken early causing a bit of anger to arise. One can be driving and someone cuts you off. Other times it can be much more severe. The offense can be damaging, lasting, permanent. It can be such a dastardly deed that it sends ripples throughout a community. Often this offense can be met with another emotional response and there it begins, violence begetting violence.
Often with the Lord, He gives us a time to heal, a time to mourn, and a time to be angry. His goal is to heal your heart in spite of the hurt, pain, and scars. If we look back in the book of Acts one of the first known martyr’s after Christ departed for heaven, was a man named Stephen. He was entrusted with the business of the Gospel and testified to the truth. His testimony cost him his life. He was stoned.
But one curious notion caught my eye, before Stephen gave up his ghost. He saw the King of kings stand up. And he made one last request, “do not hold this charge against them.” With that final notion, Stephen yielded his spirit. He caught the Master’s eye and knew that beyond this moment was an opportunity of Grace, His Grace. The same Grace that saved Stephen was now being counted on for the great offenders.
I’m sure Stephen’s family and friends grieved his loss. They mourned and were angry. They had every right. They probably wanted justice, but to whom would they go? Rome? Its in those very same hours that God stirs the pot. You know the story. This man who testified against Stephen, became one of the most influential apostles. He wrote a good portion of the new testament.
In this way, love trumped hate. It blew it away. God’s love drew him in. Paul was sucked in by love, God’s love. He was knocked off of his horse literally. The apostle saw the One who died for him. He became an ambassador for the Good News. But if anger had prevailed, if human emotion had taken hold of Stephen, if Christ’s judgment had been sentenced, if… Would we have what we have today?
If we are to be bound, let us be bound by love. In short, take a moment to ask God for some more of His love to be found in you and me. If we can forgive in an instant, like Christ on the Cross, or Stephen being stoned, or any of the other disciples, oh, how the world could be reached!
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. Remember, it is a journey. It may happen in a moment or it may be a work in progress. Just let it be. Readings: Acts 7 & 9, Isaiah 3, I Corinthians 13, Roman 13, Ecclesiastes 3, John 13, and Luke 23: 34. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Comments