It seems I was the target tonight at work...or really Jesus was. Though they were mocking and berating me, they were really berating the Lord. This I must remember, though it does not change the pain I feel when they do. It causes me no regret but it causes me sorrow for them and causes me pain that they would say that to my Lord.
I work in a warehouse setting, unloading trucks. One of them showed me an unwholesome picture and then another from his phone, soon they all gained up on me and mocked me for my resistance. After that they began mocking me for my faith and ultimately mocking God. I was angry and frustrated but also sad, but no regret. I kept silent toward them and spoke not a word against them. They berated me unhindered and I bore it all without a word or action against them. When one was about to go out into the cold, the one who insighted it all. He had no warm clothes to go outside and work around the dock, The Spirit of God immediately moved me to have compassion on him and I offered my sweatshirt to him.
Even then he later continued to berate me. And I yet still kept my peace. It breaks my heart in a way. I kept silent not out of weakness, but out of duty and compassion and love for my Lord.
Understand this now:
Matthew 5:43-48
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, 45so 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. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I work in a warehouse setting, unloading trucks. One of them showed me an unwholesome picture and then another from his phone, soon they all gained up on me and mocked me for my resistance. After that they began mocking me for my faith and ultimately mocking God. I was angry and frustrated but also sad, but no regret. I kept silent toward them and spoke not a word against them. They berated me unhindered and I bore it all without a word or action against them. When one was about to go out into the cold, the one who insighted it all. He had no warm clothes to go outside and work around the dock, The Spirit of God immediately moved me to have compassion on him and I offered my sweatshirt to him.
Even then he later continued to berate me. And I yet still kept my peace. It breaks my heart in a way. I kept silent not out of weakness, but out of duty and compassion and love for my Lord.
Understand this now:
Matthew 5:43-48
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, 45so 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. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.