People

There is no way to get through this life without pain. Of course we all know that. But I think sometimes I believe if I get things all lined up right in my life, in my heart, if my choices are wise, if I love well, if I put God first, if I become who I should be that I will avoid the hurt and pain that everyone contends with. I only realize I believe this when I come up against hurt myself. To be fair, the disciple of Christ avoids most of the pitfalls of self inflicted pain that accompany unwise and self-centered living. But we are by no means spared from hurt and pain. We may be vessels on the king's voyage, but we travel through the same storms as the boats captained by rebels and lost souls.

I have had the sense recently that even the relationships that I treasure are subject to threats apart from my power, and separate from my responsiblity. I sometimes come up against a wall. Things are so often other than I wish, so often turn out differently that I have in mind or intend. And I will have acted right. That is frustrating. Needless to say, this is not always the case. I do not do what is right always, not even close. But when I do, I suppose I expect heaven to descend to earth. It is a hard reality that in this life, the brokenness, the self-centeredness, the sinfulness of people we love reaches into our heart and forces on us pain for which we are not responsible and did not intend.

I suppose this is the gospel. Jesus underwent this very thing. At the hands of sinners he was mocked and killed. He desired that they would know His love for them, and instead they hated Him. Food for thought I guess.