Enkindling

I had a conversation the other night with a friend. It brought to my mind a memory of a conflict I had 2 years ago. I was with my friend Scott Ringo. We were walking across a parking lot to Moe’s for lunch. As I approached the curb a car pulled into the spot I was walking in and hit me! I was not injured but angered. I gave the driver an evil eye. To my amazement the jerk got out of the car yelling at me! This fruitcake (substituted) had the audacity to say it was my fault and ask me if I wanted to make something of it.

I glanced at Scott who was equally as shocked as I was. I noticed several people in the restaurant staring at us. Well… I definitely wanted to make something of it at that point! Hands clinched I was waiting for the right second to nail him. Scott grabbed me and pulled me away and advised me to walk away. In that moment I realized I had to forgive and walk away. Yet, every bit of anger I had did not want to let this guy go without some pain inflicted by me. I hesitated for a moment. Then I told him I forgave him and walked away as he continued daring me to fight.

While we were eating two men approached our table. They introduced themselves as associate pastors of the church I was attending at the time. They told me they recognized me from church. They witnessed the entire incident from the restaurant window. They went on to say how impressed they were of how I handled the situation. It made me feel good to hear them say I acted Christ-like.

One of the ways I celebrated Easter this past Sunday was by watching The Passion of the Christ with my friend Traci. I have seen it before. She had not. After the movie I had a time of introspection. In that moment I thought back about the incident in Moe’s parking lot. Watching the Passion of the Christ made me realize my moment at Moe’s was a failure. Why? I clinched my fist. I looked for an opportunity to beat that guy senseless. Jesus Christ never clinched his fist like I did. He never looked for an opportunity to get even. He humbly endured a severe beating as he carried the cross to his sacrificial moment. I take back that feeling when the pastors congratulated me. My moment had nothing to do with being Christ-like. Thank God for His mercy and grace.

I am constantly amazed how the work of the Holy Spirit changes everything. The past few weeks have been quite stressful for me and my friends. This morning was no exception. I called my best friend Kevin to share my frustration. He listened to my disgust. After we disconnected it hit me. I should say… He hit me - the Holy Spirit. And He reminded me to be at ease. I have much to be thankful for.

I felt like every aspect of my life was challenged except for my health. Thank God. Get it? Thank God. Some of you assumed I said thank God my health is ok. That is not what I meant.

Thank God. For ALL of it.

Matthew 5:43-45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’
44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. - NASB

There is no way to tell how the rest of my day and/or week is going to play out but I thank God - for ALL of it.