People are such surprising creatures, aren't they? At our best we are generous, loving, kind, and the best this world has to offer. At our worst we are hateful, deceitful, and just plain mean. Given any day, we can be either of these (and anywhere in between). For most of us, we strive to reach that pinnacle at which we don't have to think about being kind or generous. It just becomes a part of who we are. We are that being living as close to Christ-like as possible, but given the right circumstances we can become the most vile creatures on this earth.
How easily we slip from one to the other! If we feel threatened, in any way, we can turn on those closest to us in ways even we didn't know were possible. The threat doesn't need to be real. As long as we perceive it as a real and viable danger, we become the worst of ourselves.
We have the best excuses for our behavior. I heard some of them from one of my classes this week: "Well, they hurt my friend." "I couldn't let them keep talking about me like that." "That was mine and they took it." "They hurt me."
Certainly it is a good thing to stand up for our friends and family when they are in need. And we would all agree that defending yourself is a skill we should all practice. But where is the line between caring for ourselves and our family (extended or otherwise) and becoming what we are accusing others of being? Isn't a sign of maturity finding ourselves at our worst and making the necessary corrections?
Our very humanness allows us to slide into behaviors that we would curse others for, without even being aware of it. It happens to all of us. But what makes the difference is how quickly we realize that we have crossed the line and what we do once we realize it. I think the best we can be is always at our fingertips, ready to be accessed at any moment.
We just have to see it and reach.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:32, 35-36 NIV
