We are living in a time when everyone is getting offended! Our culture has put us in a choke hold with political correctness. In my opinion, which really doesn't mean squat, the reason we are offended is because we are self-absorbed. It is easy for many of us to say amen to that, but not so fast.... What about us, those of us who call ourselves Christ followers? Are we easily offended?
Just this morning Jim shared a situation with me and I immediately became passionate about why the situation was wrong. I gave strong argument to how it needed to be corrected so that it could be set right and the dangers of what would happen if not corrected. After he left, I thought why did I have such a strong reaction? I recognized that I strongly reacted because it threatened me and it threatened a place that I have let my identity be found. I became offended with those that I felt were not as passionate about something as I am. It's so easy isn't it? And, to sound righteous while ranting?! (this is something, much to my shame, I'm very good at!) We believe we are following the Lord, doing what He has asked us to do, and everything is great as long as there are others alongside us doing it also. The minute we feel alone we can either become arrogant and say, "they just don't get it" or question what we are doing, become frustrated,and want to flee.
As a woman who has lived in bondage because of where and what I let define my identity, I believe I/we must constantly be asking ourselves some questions. Who or What do I believe I can't live without? Who or What has my attention? What evokes strong emotion in me? Is that where I'm getting my identity? Why am I so easily offended? What disturbs my peace?
In Christ Alone, I love to sing it, I believe those words, but how that moves itself into the cracks and crevices of my daily life is still a learning process for me. It's a battle! One that takes sitting long and often at Jesus' feet. (there are No Substitutes for this!) Before we get so riled up about our culture, political correctness, and everyone being self absorbed, (except us of course!) let us consider how we are easily offended and often put a "righteous" spin on it.
Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have those who love your word, nothing can make them stumble."
Amy Carmichael
"If I have not compassion on my fellow-servant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points: if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "who made you to differ? and what have you that you have not received?" (1 Corinthians 4:7) then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
Painful reminder of my desperate need.....
Laid bare....
Still learning to abide,
Kim
Just this morning Jim shared a situation with me and I immediately became passionate about why the situation was wrong. I gave strong argument to how it needed to be corrected so that it could be set right and the dangers of what would happen if not corrected. After he left, I thought why did I have such a strong reaction? I recognized that I strongly reacted because it threatened me and it threatened a place that I have let my identity be found. I became offended with those that I felt were not as passionate about something as I am. It's so easy isn't it? And, to sound righteous while ranting?! (this is something, much to my shame, I'm very good at!) We believe we are following the Lord, doing what He has asked us to do, and everything is great as long as there are others alongside us doing it also. The minute we feel alone we can either become arrogant and say, "they just don't get it" or question what we are doing, become frustrated,and want to flee.
As a woman who has lived in bondage because of where and what I let define my identity, I believe I/we must constantly be asking ourselves some questions. Who or What do I believe I can't live without? Who or What has my attention? What evokes strong emotion in me? Is that where I'm getting my identity? Why am I so easily offended? What disturbs my peace?
In Christ Alone, I love to sing it, I believe those words, but how that moves itself into the cracks and crevices of my daily life is still a learning process for me. It's a battle! One that takes sitting long and often at Jesus' feet. (there are No Substitutes for this!) Before we get so riled up about our culture, political correctness, and everyone being self absorbed, (except us of course!) let us consider how we are easily offended and often put a "righteous" spin on it.
Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have those who love your word, nothing can make them stumble."
Amy Carmichael
"If I have not compassion on my fellow-servant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points: if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "who made you to differ? and what have you that you have not received?" (1 Corinthians 4:7) then I know nothing of Calvary love."
"If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
Painful reminder of my desperate need.....
Laid bare....
Still learning to abide,
Kim
