Although believers are commanded to reach out to others with
the gospel of grace (see Matthew 28:16-20 and other spots), the Bible also warns
us about shunning outright evil (see Job 1:8 and 28:28, as well as Proverbs
3:7-8 and 14:16). The Apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthian church especially to
avoid ongoing association with fellow believers who refused to turn away from
obvious sins (see 1 Corinthians 5).
Sometimes it’s a necessity. It may be impossible to break
away from such company – at least, for a season.
Maybe it’s a disgruntled roommate. It could be an unpleasant
neighbor. It might even be an abusive family member. And the question may not
be one of such folks’ own faith or personal conduct (which really isn’t up to
us), but of outright hostility to us for our faith or some other reason. It
could even be a matter of a certain individual’s own psychological baggage from
the past.
And, at least for the moment, we’re stuck in a prolonged
period with such a one.
Hey, you probably get
it. We’ve just come through the holiday season.
Although December is a month of merriment for many, plenty
of people endure unfavorable interactions, especially in extended family
gatherings.
Simply put: Life may include times when we cannot help but break bread (or spend time) with those who berate, belittle, browbeat, and betray us. We may have to make nice (even for a while) with those who degrade, disregard, disrespect, or dishonor us.
Today, I’m looking at Psalm 23:5a in a way I never
considered it before.
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“You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
Just yesterday, someone lashed out at
me for someone else’s minor misstep that apparently represented his own last
straw. Hurtful words exceeding even the dreaded F-bombs (Yes, that’s possible.) circled
around me. I just happened to be there, in his wake, as words and fragile objects were hurled about.
I’m reluctant to haul off and call someone like that an actual enemy. But the unsolicited
attack still hurts. (I cringe every time.) So the verse seems to fit.
Jesus feels our pain.
It’s His pain too.
And He feeds us and sustains us, especially in those tough
times. He prepares a place for us in His own presence, surrounding us with His
acceptance and grace and mercy and love – even while others try to bring us
down.
Someday God may call us to shake the sand off our proverbial
sandals and walk away from such opposition. But He might not. In the meantime,
how far are we willing to loan our cloaks and carry those packs? Can we
continue to turn the other cheek, when someone persists in kicking us in the
proverbial other-kind-of-cheek?
But we may still have
to show up, even if others aren’t willing to grow up.
If we’re wise (and in our best moments of mental clarity and
solid discretion), we’ll try hard to hold our peace on certain subjects around
those who oppose or assail us. Dogs like to fight over prized items (see
Matthew 7:6). So there’s that.
Can we break bread with
such folks without being broken beyond repair?
Prisoners of war still eat in their cells, even though their
captors lurk by the doors. Maybe, on a much smaller scale, this is sort of the
same idea for some of us. And maybe we can turn that notion into intercession
for those whose very lives are imperiled in such ways.
God, grant us grace. All of us.
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