Upending
A backyard bash was underway when a man carrying a gun approached and demanded money from the partygoers. The partiers would have handed their money to the bandit, but no one had any cash! So they offered what they did have—a drink. Surprisingly, the crook accepted and joined their party. An unexpected response changed everything.
Nursing a Grudge
Author Marilynne Robinson wrote, “I have always liked the phrase, ‘nursing a grudge,’ because many people are tender of their resentments, as of the things nearest their hearts.”
get even?
During a convocation speech at a major Christian university in 2012, business magnate and TV celebrity Donald Trump told 10,000 students that the way to succeed in business is to “get even,” igniting an outcry from critics who said that Trump’s philosophy was inconsistent with Christian values.
hurt people hurt people
I was babysitting two 5-year-old boys while their mothers went shopping. They were having a fun time playing together until one of the children threw a ball that accidentally struck the other on the nose.
forgive the shark
Lucy Magnum was boogie boarding in the ocean when a shark sank its teeth into her leg. Her parents acted quickly to save her leg by applying pressure to it until paramedics arrived. Later, Lucy understandably said, “I hate sharks.” Her parents gently replied that the shark had simply acted instinctively. Lucy then responded with grace: “I don’t care that the shark bit me. I forgive him.”
recalculating relationships
A comedian once mused that he wished someone would make a GPS for husbands. He said something like this: GPS: “Compliment your wife’s appearance.” Comedian: “Hey, honey, you look really good.” GPS: “Ask her about her day.” Comedian: “How was your day, sweetheart?” GPS: “Pretend to be listening.” Comedian: “Oh . . . Really . . .” GPS: “Flatter your wife.” Comedian: “Um . . . Hey, you’re gonna look really good once you put all your make-up on.” GPS: “Recalculating.”
leave room for God
A TV commercial begins with a boy sitting in a play tree house, taunting a grandma and a baby because he has the family’s bag of Doritos chips, and they don’t. The grandma and the baby conspire to get their share. Cooperating with one another, the grandma slingshots the baby to grab the Doritos. It’s a funny illustration of what’s inside all of our hearts—the desire for justice. Unfortunately, our desire for justice is often illegitimate and mixed with revenge, anger, pride, and very little room for God to work.
laws of love
Driving to work one day, I had a revelation. I realized that speed limits had been set to protect me and those around me, not to hamper my freedom or prove that I was a lawbreaker. If I sped and lost control of my car I could hurt myself, the lady driving toward me, or the man on the sidewalk. The traffic laws are in place because human life is valuable and should be protected.
strike back or hold back?
Hakkul, a snake charmer, opened three bags of snakes in a government office. Many of the serpents remained tangled together in a knot. Others advanced toward the office workers who had hopped up on desks or huddled together awaiting help. Apparently, Hakkul was angry because officials had not responded to his request for land on which to house his snakes.…
desire for vengeance
I once spoke with a father whose son had been brutally murdered by a family friend. In the years that followed, he talked of his burning desire for revenge. He knew that bitterness had overtaken his heart and crowded out that which was good. Although he wanted to turn this festering burden over to Jesus, he struggled with letting go.…
gored
Seventeen-year-old Vinnie Huntington got his revenge on a bull that gored him on his family’s farm. As he sat down to eat the steak carved from the bull, he said, “I’m going to enjoy it, too.”
Unlike Vinnie, followers of Jesus who have been “gored” by the words, attitudes, and actions of others should have a different response when it…
costly mistakes
As I was recently reading through 1 Samuel, my favorite book of the Bible, I was gripped by the run-in David had with Nabal (1 Samuel 25). David and his men were camped in a desert where Nabal was shearing his sheep. So he sent a message to Nabal, reminding him of how he had generously protected his shepherds in…
a song to come
Avenged Sevenfold lead singer M. Shadows claims his band doesn’t “take sides” in religion—an interesting approach to addressing the pressing questions that scream relevance for all of us: Is there a God? And if so, what is our response to His reality?
Despite the disavowal of things religious by Avenged Sevenfold, their name is overtly biblical. It’s derived from the Genesis account…
higher logic
While Khalid Sheikh Mohammed awaited trial for plotting the 9/11 terrorist attacks, some US citizens were nervous that he might be acquitted by an inept jury. Others hoped that that would be precisely what happened. If they had turned Khalid out into the angry streets, it wouldn’t have taken long for New Yorkers to exact their revenge. I certainly understand…
revenge
I recently ran across a Web site that instructs you in ways to take revenge. Later, I was stunned to find many online sites that are dedicated to getting even. From “thepayback.com” to “makehimpay.net,” they feature stories and tips on how to get even with people who rub you the wrong way. The sites are obviously put together by folks…
