Not Me!

I listened to a story of Cherry’s childhood last week.  It was wonderful; a close echo of many of my own adventures!  The essence of the story centered on her response to a perceived slight by others.  Adverse to any potential consequences coming from her actions, she “motivated” her two younger sisters into action!  The story was funny, poignant, and full of the kind of lessons I often refuse to acknowledge or even hear. 
 
In her story, she felt she was going to be immune from punishment because of the distance she maintained throughout the response.  She didn’t do it.  She may not have even been present during the particular deed.  The evidence would proclaim her innocent. 
 
Her story has been my story on more occasions than I care to admit.  Intention distance – physically, metaphorically, and measured by some kind of twisted logic – keeps one clean; or so I try to tell myself.  I didn’t exploit an individual; that was the choice of a manager who worked for me.  I blissfully ignore imposed deadlines, unreasonable expectations, and mandated use of constrained resources.  I wasn’t the one who lied; constructing the argument, structuring the message, and crafting the presentation are not the same thing because someone else gave their approval, spoke the actual words, and was the messenger.
 
The God I know doesn’t see me that way.  God looks at my heart.  The real is transparent to the Spirit.  God knows I am accountable.  I like others before me will be reminded; “You've used your servants to mock the Master.  You've bragged, ‘With my fleet of chariots I've gone to the highest mountain ranges, penetrated the far reaches of Lebanon, chopped down its giant cedars, its finest cypresses.  I conquered its highest peak, explored its deepest forest.’”  (Isaiah 37.24) 
 
Today is a fresh opportunity to step up, letting all my actions reflect the values I hold most precious.  It is time for love and compassion to triumph.  It is a window for community to shine.  It is a time for you, and for me, with God.