I had a little smidge of a breakthrough in my quest to understand God's dealings with me/us.
As I was praying/pondering last night, I was reminded of Jesus's words from the cross when he said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
I think this is some sort of clue. Jesus was specifically talking about the Roman soldiers that were performing the crucifixion. They were not Jewish or Christian; they actually worshipped the Roman gods we learn about in school.
I think Jesus was actually speaking about us all. I have a wonderful teenage daughter who is on the cusp of graduating high school. She's been offered a couple of options for a job (she's chosen not to pursue a formal education) and is having difficulty deciding on what to do. It's so interesting to be in my shoes and actually see clearly the path she should take that would be the easiest for her in the long term. She's flirting with the easy road but will most likely choose the road that will ultimately be harder. Alas, that is her choice and consequence, whether good or bad.
But, I'm brought back to Christ's plea to the father to forgive, because they don't know what they're doing. It's the "they don't know what they're doing" part that is causing me to linger and ponder. My daughter doesn't know what she's doing. She's doing her best, seeking out counsel and trying to figure it out logically. I have no doubt she'll work hard at whatever choice she makes.
I think the same goes for me. I often disappoint or anger another. MOST of the time I do it out of shear ignorance or with great intentions. I do admit I sometimes do things on purpose. :) But, really, I'm often shocked to hear how a person perceived my actions or intentions. I didn't know what I was doing. :) I thought I was doing the best I could. But, this causes disappointment and anger in others. Some are quick to forgive, others-not so much.
I need to adjust my perceptions and remember the words of Jesus when someone offends me. Regardless of their intentions. MOST of the time they'll think they were doing the best they could. Sometimes it'll be intentional. Either way--"they know not what they do."
I could ramble a bit more, but I think I'll stop for a moment.
I think this is some sort of clue. Jesus was specifically talking about the Roman soldiers that were performing the crucifixion. They were not Jewish or Christian; they actually worshipped the Roman gods we learn about in school.
I think Jesus was actually speaking about us all. I have a wonderful teenage daughter who is on the cusp of graduating high school. She's been offered a couple of options for a job (she's chosen not to pursue a formal education) and is having difficulty deciding on what to do. It's so interesting to be in my shoes and actually see clearly the path she should take that would be the easiest for her in the long term. She's flirting with the easy road but will most likely choose the road that will ultimately be harder. Alas, that is her choice and consequence, whether good or bad.
But, I'm brought back to Christ's plea to the father to forgive, because they don't know what they're doing. It's the "they don't know what they're doing" part that is causing me to linger and ponder. My daughter doesn't know what she's doing. She's doing her best, seeking out counsel and trying to figure it out logically. I have no doubt she'll work hard at whatever choice she makes.
I think the same goes for me. I often disappoint or anger another. MOST of the time I do it out of shear ignorance or with great intentions. I do admit I sometimes do things on purpose. :) But, really, I'm often shocked to hear how a person perceived my actions or intentions. I didn't know what I was doing. :) I thought I was doing the best I could. But, this causes disappointment and anger in others. Some are quick to forgive, others-not so much.
I need to adjust my perceptions and remember the words of Jesus when someone offends me. Regardless of their intentions. MOST of the time they'll think they were doing the best they could. Sometimes it'll be intentional. Either way--"they know not what they do."
I could ramble a bit more, but I think I'll stop for a moment.
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