“God’s business is putting things right” Psalm 11.6
The past 36 hours taught me, again, that I am a Type-A person. Patience is not a strong suit in my deck. Reading others is not my primary focus. Letting God take care of His job is not an automatic reaction for me. When problems or tensions come up, my response is to deal with them, attack and solve. Take no prisoners and leave every stone turned. When others say and do, I draw conclusions based on my experiences, not theirs. Walking in another person’s shoes is not my first focus.
Trusting someone to take care of my issues is an act of faith, I find very difficult.
I am sure the scenario is familiar.
Conversations with a friend close to your heart. Words of tension about issues on which you really agree. Gestures interpreted and analyzed. Motives assessed and conclusions drawn. Battles lines begin to emerge.
God’s gift yesterday was one of in-action. I felt paralyzed in responding to the injustice. My anger, my sense of injustice, my frustration in giving of self with “this type of response” knew no limits. Tensions growing by the minute, mutating into ugly permutations.
I am the fool! Will I ever learn? Will I ever be able to walk in faith? Will I share the grace I receive with others?
The scene continued.
My inability to act allowed God to work. My willingness to just “be” provided insights on her experience and perspective.
As I see life from the other side, the negative motives disappear. As I walk in her shoes, I face difficult choices and an ever-increasing load of responsibilities. As I experience the grace shown to me, I rediscover the depth of human love. As I live in the moment, I experience God’s work in making things right.
God’s gift of grace shows itself in multiple dimensions.
Grace nurtures instead of criticizing. Grace forgives unconditionally instead of looking for justice. Grace works behind the scenes instead of being the center of attention. God’s grace is for you and me.
