There are two poems below. The first one, in this chapter, highlights what so many people go through on a weekly basis – in church. They sing worship songs for 20 minutes, then sit down and squirm as they spot ‘the offender’ in their peripheral vision.
Sadly, it doesn’t matter how much they are warned to not take communion before sorting things out. They shrug and assume they are justified because they don’t have the time to get into a heated discussion and besides, they strongly believe they are the ones who have been wronged anyway.
Er…so? Does Jesus say, “So what!” to that? No, he tells us that it is of paramount importance to ensure relationships are restored before communion is shared. He also tells us to not let the sun go down while we are still angry with someone. Have I done that myself? Oh yes. Did I feel good about it? Not at all. Did it do any good? It never has.
There are dire consequences if communion is taken while offence reigns in our hearts, but some people don’t seem to care.
What’s all that laughter?
The pastor has just said something funny and ‘the offended’ is giggling along with everyone else, but there is a sudden conversation going around in their head:
“Hey, that dreaded person has just looked across in my direction. Quick, delete laugh, cancel smile! I can’t have our eyes meet while I’m still looking pleasant! What if she misunderstands and thinks I am smiling at her? What a travesty that would be! She does not even know that I’m mad at her. How aggravating it is that she hasn’t realised that I’ve unfriended her from Facebook, blocked her on WhatsApp and darkened my heart towards her permanently. If only she would log on and meticulously check her friends list and see that I am missing. If only she would notice that my photo is has disappeared from my Whatsy profile. Oh, I can’t wait for her to speak to me after the service so that I can have the wonderful pleasure of being off with her.”
As childish as this scenario may sound, it is a constantly reality among the body of Christ.
We take communion while still offended and heap curses onto ourselves – one of which is infirmity.
I remember years ago, a time when I got mad at my cousin, but she was totally unaware of it. She lived 35 miles away, so I wasn’t due to see her until the weekend. This was too long!
Was I eager to speak to her face to face and confess my hurt so I could forgive her and put things right? Oh no, that idea was too sensible for me. Instead, I paced back and forth past my landline telephone, hoping she would ring. The Holy Spirit suddenly came up beside me and kind of cleared his throat. (Not an audible thing, just my spiritual conscience)
“So, let’s get this right. You are wanting her to ring you, so that you can respond to her curtly, be unfriendly, and not respond to her sentences in a happy manner. She will then ask you what was wrong, and you will reply angrily, “Nothing.” The call will end with her feeling hurt and confused and you will put the phone down feeling satisfied that she now knows something’s up. Can you not see how ridiculous this is?”
Oh yes folks, we need to mature greatly. Let us take time now to ask the Lord to reveal anybody we are not regarding lovingly in our hearts. Let us call it what it is, offense, and ask hm to help us do the right thing. Sort it out and if the person is not sorry, forgive them anyway. If the person does not acknowledge any wrong, love them anyway. If you are the innocent party, apologise anyway. Be the bigger person because one day you will stand before God and the scenario will be replayed before your eyes. Will you smile or cringe?
I’m so angry with her,
My head’s blown a fuse.
I’ll treat her harshly,
I’ve nothing to lose.
I have my reasons,
I am justified.
A bit of offence,
Should not be denied.
When she walks past,
I’ll look straight ahead.
She’ll expect a smile,
So I’ll scowl instead.
What’s most annoying,
And really quite bad,
Is that she doesn’t even know
She’s made me so mad.
I’ll ignore her emails,
Not reply to her text,
Then perhaps she’ll suss
That she’s made me vexed.
Maybe I should tell
A friend or two.
I think it’s better
That more people knew.
That way I won’t be
The only one annoyed,
For she is someone
People should avoid.
I’ll delete her number
From my notebook and phone.
Our love has expired,
Our friendship’s outgrown.
I don’t need her company.
That is for sure,
For I’m a strong Christian
Who’s wise and mature.
