” . . . let us run with confidence the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith . . .”- Hebrews 12:1-2
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”- Luke 6:25
In Chapter 1 of The Wall Around Your Heart, author Mary DeMuth boldly states that unless we see the twin truths that God loves us and He loves those who hurt us, we cannot love our enemies. While we may find it easier to excuse the transgressions of non-Christians, when Christians are involved in our hurt our pain feels deeper, harder, and more perplexing. All we see is the blackness of their sin, making them all evil in our eyes. We define them in absolutes. God’s grace is sorely lacking.
When we truly realize that Jesus loves those responsible for our vocation loss and died for them as well, our catastrophic thinking will begin to fade. We can begin to pray for them. As we focus our efforts on extolling the beauty of God, our seemingly gargantuan problems shrink to their proper size. Mary summarizes:
“As we pray for people who hurt us, we must settle into God’s worthiness in the midst of that pain. We do that by worshiping, taking the focus off our circumstances, and choosing to look heavenward to say and sing and write things about our impossible God.”
Today’s question: How difficult has it been to maintain an attitude of worship following your vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord”
