1. Drop the "what can they/it do for me?" attitude.
Seriously, maybe Kennedy hit the mark on that one. We're so concerned about our own benefit that we sometimes forget about our calling: service. Our serving the community unto God may not always directly and/or immediately benefit us. But if our ultimate goal is to please God (and selfless service in His name according to His purpose DOES please the Father), our attitude should take a pretty sharp turn at salvation by grace through faith, family. Benefits me turns into benefits God and shows people His perfect love and plan for them.
2. What's so wrong with initiating dialogue or positive connections and reconciliation?
We're quick to say "be the bigger person" to children, but we hate leading by example. What will it hurt to be the bigger person in real life? What might suffer if you start the dialogue and call a truce or apologize first? Easy. Your pride. Isn't that a good thing, family? Don't worry about a power struggle. The power you seek in those spaces is not the same power that raised Jesus, is it? Then let it go. It's an illusion, I promise.
3. People come against "you." People persecute "you." But are they? Or do we actually "wrestle... against rulers, authorities, and principalities..."
Family, remember that the enemy seeks to overtake you with intentions to gain power against your Father, but the power of the risen Savior has already defeated him. Also, remember we have chosen the side of righteousness in a war fought around us, but it is already won. Last thought [before the breakdown]: Jesus has already "overcome the world." Jesus encourages us to take heart and look to him for peace and hope. How great is it that we need only keep our faith in him and His promises for us? This includes working and fighting, but only against ideals and principals. It is the Lord who fights against the greater demons. Think about this: Jesus left Heaven and came to Earth humble as a baby and was slain and you writhe and scream at the thought of letting someone get away with cutting you off in I-285. Why? Is this important? Where is your mind? Remember that every encounter is an opportunity to show the goodness of the Lord, no matter how hard it is. If we allow our nature to overtake us and compel us to argue unnecessarily and attempt to snap back or get even, we sacrifice what might have a golden opportunity for love. I know that sounds cliche or like an unattainable standard of grace and mercy, but it isn't. He promised/promises us that showing grace is possible. In fact, it is imperative. (1 John 4:20) Consider this: Why do we go to church and praise God, but hate our neighbor? We go out of our way to get even, but never forget to say grace. In what world does that make sense?
4. Irrelevant or nah...
Shout out to my mom! When I was younger, I asked my mom, "do you think Jesus is black or white?" She said, "there are some things that are irrelevant to my salvation." And she didn't explain that any further. Lol. We spend so much time arguing and Facebook-debating about things that are completely insignificant to our assignments, God's promises, and His love. Often we're so afraid that we'll lose the opportunity to get someone back and we're right. Once that moment's gone, it's gone forever. And thank God it is. That moment was much better spent taking the high road than telling someone off or getting them back. What is your ultimate goal? Get backs or pleasing God? Seriously. Think about it.
5. Why do we think that complete devotion to God is exclusively required of preachers?
They read the same bible and serve the same God of Abraham and Isaac as us, yes? Why would he require crazy faith from them and not us? He wouldn't. Each of us has a different purpose for our faith that should work for the good of God's kingdom, but we ought to all work to be kind and ambitious and loving and peace-seeking/making. For instance, a pastor's purpose might be to present information to God's people, not knowing from where the strength will come some days. For some of us, it might be to follow our leader believing God will lead him to lead with love, patience and understanding, boldness, leaning on the Word of God and not his own preferences or logic. We all know how hard that can be, but think of how hard it was for JESUS to trust being far away from the Father. Knowing this should be of comfort and hope to us. Why? It was hard for JEEEE-SUS. Not only was it hard, but he proved that it was possible to overcome anxiety, fear and doubt. It IS possible, family, to tune out the enemy's ploys against you and your Father. Nothing is too hard for God! Fear? Pssh! Worry? Or nah. Anxiety? Small fish. Loneliness? Nonexistent. Depression? He beat all these things on the cross. This is why we lean on Him and His everlasting arm, family. It isn't always from fatigue. Sometimes, it's because LEAVING our burdens on the altar leaves us so light and calm and at peace. Sometimes, it's because we come to reeeally accept God's love and confess in our hearts that He is risen for our sins and that kind of love (like nothing we have or ever will experience) makes us weak in the knees. Point of transparency: that time I was so heartbroken that I couldn't even get the words, he washed me in his peace. It was like nothing I had ever felt before. I trusted him to take care of my heart and I didn't feel mending, but I knew he'd do it.
So we lean unto God's wisdom and not our own, knowing that He will avenge us. We lean on His Word, which tells us to seek FIRST the kingdom of God. HE will see us provided for and see us exalted WITHOUT our seeking our own exaltation among earthly things and beings. Lean on God and trust Him for answers and direction. Lean on God and He will light and fan a flame to grow into a powerful fire for Him. He will produce a hunger for Him in you. Don't worry, if you don't feel Him in your heart just yet. But know that He is there. God knows the magnitude of what he asks of you. Trust is not easy, but it is necessary. Trust that with God's help you can overcome temptation. It will take work, but He's so worth it. Even Jesus asked for another way to save His people, but he resisted the enemy. It took work, but He thought/thinks you are worth it. Stop idolizing yourself. That's where arrogance comes from. We think that our degrees and age and experience and youth somehow give us the same credibility as God. You might think, 'I've never thought that.' Consciously? Probably not. Consider this: what are you doing when you refuse God's wisdom and guidance and instead adopt your own?
Jesus has already overcome the world. You don't have to get the last word; he already has. You don't have to get even; he already has. You don't have to seek your own exaltation. He has already made it possible for you to stand firm on his word in a world that is quickly sinking in its own defiance. He has the defeated the enemy who seeks to pull you under. Jesus calls out to you to walk to him in spite of the storm around or beneath you and no matter what it is. Don't idolize yourself, considering your own thoughts to be as high as God's. When he says that it is possible to be gracious and kind and patient and whole, believe him. The bible directly connects relationships of all kinds to humility.
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