I am a very firm believer in justice. It makes me crazy when I feel that either I or someone I love have been treated unfairly, unkind, etc. I like to see people follow the rules, treat people fairly, be kind to one another and give each other a chance. Unfortunately we live in a very sin-tainted world.
I was having a little talk with God about one of those moments when I didn't think something was being dealt with fairly for one of my friends and I actually was like "Lord, this seems so unfair. How often does she have to forgive?" (This was really just me ranting and mouthing off). When I got the response "70 x 7". (Don't ask questions you don't want an answer to by the way)...
I sat there silently for a while as I took that in (because it sure didn't seem fair to me). Then I was like "really?" That's when His words came flooding in... "Sometimes it's not about the other person. Sometimes it's about working in the heart of the one who is going through the difficulty. To change THEIR heart." Then I really got to thinking...
If life were fair Jesus would not have died on the cross.
If life were fair people wouldn't be starving.
If life were fair...my son would still be here.
But sometimes things happen to change hearts. To make us reach out and help others. To show love and compassion, even when it is not extended in return.
If He did it all, where would there be a chance for us to step in? To step up and help?
How beautiful it is to see a family take a person in need a gift. To see someone stopped on the side of the road changing someone's flat tire for them. To see someone visit someone who has NO visitors.
There is no justice in any of it.
For the visit will not be reciprocated. The person whose tire has been changed will drive off after a thanks, but the favor will not be returned. The person who receives the gift will most likely not have a gift to give back.
But it's not about that. It is about having a heart like Jesus who does the unthinkable and forgives the unforgivable and loves the unlovable. When we are able to do that THEN we have a heart like Jesus. <3
Matthew 5
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
I was having a little talk with God about one of those moments when I didn't think something was being dealt with fairly for one of my friends and I actually was like "Lord, this seems so unfair. How often does she have to forgive?" (This was really just me ranting and mouthing off). When I got the response "70 x 7". (Don't ask questions you don't want an answer to by the way)...
I sat there silently for a while as I took that in (because it sure didn't seem fair to me). Then I was like "really?" That's when His words came flooding in... "Sometimes it's not about the other person. Sometimes it's about working in the heart of the one who is going through the difficulty. To change THEIR heart." Then I really got to thinking...
If life were fair Jesus would not have died on the cross.
If life were fair people wouldn't be starving.
If life were fair...my son would still be here.
But sometimes things happen to change hearts. To make us reach out and help others. To show love and compassion, even when it is not extended in return.
If He did it all, where would there be a chance for us to step in? To step up and help?
How beautiful it is to see a family take a person in need a gift. To see someone stopped on the side of the road changing someone's flat tire for them. To see someone visit someone who has NO visitors.
There is no justice in any of it.
For the visit will not be reciprocated. The person whose tire has been changed will drive off after a thanks, but the favor will not be returned. The person who receives the gift will most likely not have a gift to give back.
But it's not about that. It is about having a heart like Jesus who does the unthinkable and forgives the unforgivable and loves the unlovable. When we are able to do that THEN we have a heart like Jesus. <3
Matthew 5
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.