Journey Day 275

Something God has been teaching me throughout this whole journey of mine is that having the ability to turn the other cheek is crucial in our Christian walk. Pastor Paul just finished a sermon series entitled "Thinking Backwards". This series was all about how thinking and living biblically is often backwards from the way the world is. When a person is wronged, usually their first action is to act back, in other words "you hit me? well then I'm going to hit you back even harder." But that isn't what the bible tells us to do, that is isn't the way Jesus lived at all! Matthew 5:38-42 says, "You have heard it said, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." God doesn't just call us to be kind of nice, he dares us to be outright revolutionary in the way we live our life. But this revolution isn't one of violence, in fact it's quite the opposite. This revolution is one of love, a love that is so deep that no matter what it prevails! Even when you are persecuted your love shines through! For example, your driving down the highway and someone cuts you off... what's your first instinct? To be honest mine is to honk or glare at them as I get over into another lane to pass them. BUT if someone cut Jesus off as he was driving down route 460 do you think he would scream and cuss? No, I think he would just keep on driving and I think he would extend grace to them. I definitely have some road rage, so that example is one that really hits home with me. I think it's easy to love the lovable, it's easy to love those who love you back. But the love that really takes work, and the love that really takes conviction is the love you show to those who don't show love to you back. And that is what God wants us to do. Violence only fosters more hate, but love stirs something bigger and more pure in our hearts. Love gives us the ability to give above and beyond what is expected of us, love gently calls us to something better, and most of all love reflects Jesus Christ, and that my friends is a revolution I want to be a part of.