Shiann continues her devotional thoughts today:
“Rights are where survivors go so that they don’t have to work out relationships”
Here’s another one that really burned me the first time I read it. I expect it might be so for you. It is a strong temptation for me not to share my thoughts on this as I may then become accountable to the readers for living them. So let’s think about it together. First a question:
Did Jesus have the right to be mad at those who hurt Him?
Anger is a natural feeling. It is an understandable one. It is often one that is hard to resist. But, does anyone have the right to be angry? From the world’s perspective: Oh, yeah! From the view of one living wholly in the Kingdom: no.
I have said to another on more than one occasion that he/she had the right to be angry (or have any other feeling) because something happened that was awful. However, I was wrong about that. Anger is not necessarily wrong. Anger that is not wrong is not necessarily even righteous. And, it is not a right that you have. Anger, as well as other emotions, has the power to become a hiding place, a shield to keep one from dealing with the real issue.
God’s ultimate plan is for there to be healing and fullness. In that fullness is restored relationship. He does not require that we work out relationship every time we have been hurt.
Let’s look at what the Bible says about one of the most intimate of relationships. Here is a relatively lengthy reading from Matthew 19:30-8 in the Easy-to-Read version:
Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They tried to make him say something wrong. They asked him, ‘Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?’
Jesus answered, ‘Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: When God made the world, ‘he made people male and female.’ And God said, ‘That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. And the two people will become one. God has joined them together, son no one should separate them.’
The Pharisees asked, ‘Then why did Moses give a command allowing a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce?’
Jesus answered, ‘Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God’s teaching. But divorce was not allowed in the beginning.’
Divorce happens. Relationships fall apart and are sometimes willingly ripped apart. I am not stating any of this to be hurtful to people who this has affected. God’s intention from the very beginning was for restoration of relationships. A restored relationship, regardless of its format, shows the World the fullness of God’s plan. It was the reason we needed Jesus 2,000 years ago. It is the reason we need him now.
Blessings,
Shiann
