May 25 SoulConnect..."Keeping Score"

We like to keep score of the wrongs in our life. Sometimes we convince ourselves that “one day we’ll pay back that neighbor who was mean to us, the boss who takes advantage of us, or even a family member that has hurt us. Our American culture tells us that we don’t need to take it any more and we have the right to put people in their place, especially if they have wronged us. There’s a different way, a better way.

The story of Job from the bible is a great story about what happens to people when their life is turned upside down. Job found himself at the point of complete despair, seemingly abandoned by God, manipulated by Satan, and beat up by his friends, Job endured criticism and harsh words from his friends. In the end God expressed displeasure with Job’s friends and demands they take a sacrifice of cattle to Job, then have Job pray for them. Basically God is telling Jobs friends to apologize. If Job had been thinking in human terms he could have chosen to condemn his friends for what they had done to him. If anyone had the right to keep score it was Job. But Job refused to take vengeance or hold a grudge. He did what God asked. He prayed for his friends, forgave them and moved forward in faith. “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” –Job 42:10

We keep score so that some day we can pay back all the wrongs done to us and give people what they deserve. The problem is, we don’t know what people deserve. God knows what people deserve and still chooses forgiveness. How can we not forgive. God is a God of restoration, and renewal, not dismay and destruction. When we choose to walk in the way of Christ we choose forgiveness and freedom. When we choose the way of the world we choose bitterness, and limitations. God turns our view of payback into something sweet. Payback is not about what people deserve, it is about what people need. To his critics who asked him, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus responded, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”- Matthew 22:37-39 Payback is sweet. It's about forgiveness. Enjoy the journey.

Peace,
Eric