As I reflect back on conversations I’ve heard/had in the last year or so, I can’t help but think that Spanish is no longer the common second language. Rather it has been replaced by the ever so sly sarcasm. Now sarcasm in itself is fine even comical at times, but I’ve been really distressed by the level of sardonic language that I’ve experienced lately. When comments and facial expressions tell an underlying rude opinion, it’s gone too far. Hurtful sarcasm can cut deep at the recipient’s heart without the sender even realizing it.
I guess the whole reason that this has been bothering me so much lately is that when we cross that line where the jokes are no longer funny, we stop representing Christ. The words that are spilling out of our mouths are not uplifting, encouraging, or loving in any way. The scripture that stands out to me with this issue is Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur on one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” When we fail to do these things we are no longer showing Christ’s love to our friends and peers. And you might say “Well we’re just joking around, that’s how our friends always talk” but that’s not a good excuse. In fact, I don’t think there’s any acceptable excuse for sarcasm when one party is actually put down, disrespected, or emotionally hurt.
Don’t get me wrong, I engage in some simple sarcasm every now and then, but there is a limit. When you’re no longer evidently showing Christ, it’s time to step back and reevaluate your word vomit.
I guess this has been so heavy on my heart, because I don’t see why it’s so difficult for friends to just love each other.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Some Things You Just Can't Fix
Living in a time where the stock market fluctuates mostly in the downward direction and divorce rates are rising above 50%, it’s hard not to expect disappointment. Jobs are no longer guaranteed; friends are not the same people who you once thought they were. If you really think about it, it can get pretty sad. Life happens and situations don’t always turn out for the best, at least for the best picture that we create in our minds. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of heartache and a lot of hearts that seem unmoving to the Word of the Lord. But as soon as I think of the latter, I realize my error in thought. Nothing can stop the power of God’s love for us.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:38-39
Read that again. Slowly. This particular passage brings me so much peace. I’ve realized that often times when I see someone hurting, I immediately start trying to fix everything. It’s like on their own they’re going to keep failing and I’m the only one who’s able to turn that situation around. And I am so, so wrong for three main reasons.
One, I can’t just start doing, I need to go to the Lord in prayer first or I’m just going to make the problem more of a mess than it already is. Two, even my “doing” with prayer isn’t enough to change anything. Psalms 108:12b-13a “for the help of man is worthless.” Sure I can give all the advice I know and complete any physical labor needed, but I can’t change a heart. And the condition of the heart is the source of the problem. Despite all my efforts, the problem will always come back. Third, I always seem to forget that the Lord has already been at work in the person’s heart long before I was even aware of the situation. Deuteronomy 9:29 says, “But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm.” Likewise, Isaiah 43:1b proclaims, “For I am the Lord your God, I have called you by name, you are mine.” We as a human race are God’s creation, His beloved. Of course He is going to be interceding in our lives to show us His glory and love.
We can’t control life and any effort that we’d make to do so would be pointless, but nothing that happens in our lives can separate us from the God that loves us and that brings a peace that trumps all desire to be a one man (or woman) problem-solver.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:38-39
Read that again. Slowly. This particular passage brings me so much peace. I’ve realized that often times when I see someone hurting, I immediately start trying to fix everything. It’s like on their own they’re going to keep failing and I’m the only one who’s able to turn that situation around. And I am so, so wrong for three main reasons.
One, I can’t just start doing, I need to go to the Lord in prayer first or I’m just going to make the problem more of a mess than it already is. Two, even my “doing” with prayer isn’t enough to change anything. Psalms 108:12b-13a “for the help of man is worthless.” Sure I can give all the advice I know and complete any physical labor needed, but I can’t change a heart. And the condition of the heart is the source of the problem. Despite all my efforts, the problem will always come back. Third, I always seem to forget that the Lord has already been at work in the person’s heart long before I was even aware of the situation. Deuteronomy 9:29 says, “But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm.” Likewise, Isaiah 43:1b proclaims, “For I am the Lord your God, I have called you by name, you are mine.” We as a human race are God’s creation, His beloved. Of course He is going to be interceding in our lives to show us His glory and love.
We can’t control life and any effort that we’d make to do so would be pointless, but nothing that happens in our lives can separate us from the God that loves us and that brings a peace that trumps all desire to be a one man (or woman) problem-solver.
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