There is a saying that has been quoted in the middle of disagreements and fights and stories between persons...
My side of the story, the other person's side, and the right side.
What is the right side?
In the middle of feeling misunderstood, it's so easy to cast blame...
on the husband's side,
the in-law's side,
and the friend who just isn't listening.
It's easy to 'see' my side and understand and say, "If... then..."
If they would just listen, then...
If they would just quit doing that, then...
If...
There's a disagreement at work.
A co-worker rubs you the wrong way.
A sibling or friend hurt you.
A parent doesn't get you.
Your in-law family does life differently and it grates.
And the list goes on...
{And here I make a disclaimer... I am not belittling the pain inflicted from another and this does not include rape, abuse of any kind, etc.}
And my heart whispers....
YOU HAVE A RIGHT...
to be mad.
to be upset and angry.
to be heard.
And we so easily forget....
THERE ARE TWO SIDES.
There are two hearts involved.
There are two opinions.
And, maybe, just maybe, I've not understood. Maybe, just maybe, I've got it wrong...
And maybe, just maybe, I am right.
So,
What does this other side look like?
What does the right side look like?
Jesus says in Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind (this attitude) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."
What is this mind or attitude that Jesus wants us to have?? What was the mind or attitude of Christ??
Philippians 2:6-8 (NAS) says, " who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
HUMILITY.
The Lord of lords and King of all kings.
The Maker of all earth and human-kind.
Humbled Himself. Over and over, again and again.
He came as a baby. Laid in a manger because no room was made for Him in the inn.
The One who is Life and came to offer Life, to offer Himself, was rejected, misunderstood, spit upon, denied, betrayed, and more.
He had what it took for all man to live eternally and He NEVER abused that power. He never forced His view on anyone and He never, didn't offer life because of the pain that pierced His heart in the middle of pain.
Yes, He hurt and grieved when Peter denied Him or Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. A kiss. An endearment. He looked at Judas and Matthew quotes that Jesus said, "Friend, wherefore art thou come?"
Jesus called Judas, friend. In the middle of the ugly act of betrayal. Judas called Him, Master and Jesus called him, friend.
Oh, my heart is breaking in this reality and depth of pain that Jesus, the Redeemer, the Giver of Life, experienced.
HUMILITY.
How could Jesus offer grace to Judas?
How could Jesus look tenderly at Peter after he had just denied knowing Him?
How could Jesus invite the Pharisees to know Him when they rejected His words over and over and were even looking for a way to kill Him?
How could He...??
How can I??
Jesus did not seek revenge.
Jesus knew He was loved by His Father.
Jesus came to save.
He came to seek that which was lost.
He came to offer LIFE.
When we let go of blame and seek to save, we must humble ourselves and love.
We must look to Jesus, the One who knows all about be misunderstood and yet, offered love.
We must KNOW we are loved and forgiven by Jesus.
Then Jesus says to us, "Go, and do thou likewise."
"Freely, you have received, freely give."
There's a disagreement at work.
Humility lets go of the demand for my opinion to be heard.
A co-worker rubs you the wrong way.
Humility may take on the face of kindness or doing something specific for her/him.
A sibling or friend hurt you.
Humility may be you taking the first step.
A parent doesn't get you.
Humility may be that you turn to the One who does get you.
Your in-law family does life differently and it grates.
Humility may be that you learn a different way.
And the list goes on...
Humility does not demand. Humility invites. Humility looks to offer life, right in the middle of pain and hard stuff.
HUMILITY. Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus.
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