This Is Us

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:38-39 NLT

We have all watched in horror this past weekend the absolute worst in our society.  Regardless of the situation, it was clear that something must have gone wrong in their individuals lives.  I have watched as others have blamed each other for who did what wrong or how they were right all along.  Then, a watched gentleman eloquently lay out the case about who bares the blame for what has happened.  It had nothing to do with a killer or gun.  Not Democrat or Republican.  Not Christian or atheist.  It was one simple answer.  Us.  I kept hearing that in my head.  Me?  I’m to blame?  Of course not!  I have no hatred for my fellow man or woman!  I didn’t pull the trigger.  I don’t even know any of the people in El Paso or Dayton.  How is this on me?

Then it hit me.  I have spent so much time lately trying to figure out why this person felt this way or how that person must certainly be wrong that I did not look at the one person who could make a difference.  The one person who God would have me look at.  Me.  And when I did, I found my answer.  We spend a lot of time wanting to blame the ills of the world on everyone else, and yes, everyone has a level of accountability for their own life.  But if blaming others for their flaws is truly ‘what Jesus would do,’ would we have God’s grace?  Would Jesus look at the sinner and say to them, “You are beyond redemption.  I’m sorry?”  Or would He look at our brokenness and with loving eyes say, “I love you.  I forgive you, and come follow me.”  Forgiveness is hard!  It’s hard because I must stop focusing on neither who is wrong nor how I am right.  I must look deeper and realize what my father once told me: If you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

A relationship with God means that sometimes we must view ourselves from the outside in. Turning the other cheek is not about being wimpy or simply giving in when someone knocks you down.  It’s about looking at the situation, and instead of lashing out with anger and contempt, focusing on God’s love.  It’s looking inward at those things happening around us and asking how we could do better.  Some view it as being accountable.  Others may view it as taking responsibility for those things which we have no control over.  I don’t believe we should take responsibility for everything.  What we should do is look inside of ourselves, and ask a simple question.  Are we doing enough to make the world better?  Is there something more we could or should be doing?  Does God expect more from me?  It is easy to simply look at those things happening around us and

God is still in control.  Turning the other cheek is not about accepting being slapped around.  It is about how do we respond when challenged.  Do we respond with fear, anger, and blame?  Or do we look with courage, love, understanding, and grace?  Do we hold grudges, or do we think as Paul when he said, “When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us.” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). Let us focus on looking both outward and inward when tragedy strikes to be better Christians.  How will you respond when God prompts you to look inward?  What will you ask God for to be a better servant?  My prayer is that the next time we look outward to the world, we do not just look to blame.  We look at with a heart of Christ to do better and acknowledge that good or bad, this is us.  Amen.