A friend said to me recently, “you seem to be angry all the time.” He was expressing a concern for my welfare. I acknowledged that he was right. I do have a sense of anger mixed with a large dose of sadness. An acquaintance is being bullied by the elders in her church, the leader of the world’s most powerful nation leads in a way that comes from the classic bully’s handbook. Much of our social discourse is carried on in the language of put downs, abuse, ridicule, mockery and threats – the language of the bully. Examples being given by some leaders suggests to the population as a whole, and our young in particular, that this is an appropriate way to behave.
Bullies use their strength, power, authority and influence to ensure that they get their own way. They are usually supported by a body of sycophants who bow and scrape at the bully‘s commands and do anything to be accepted.
My trust and hope lies in the word that tells me the “meek shall inherit the earth” (Matt 5:5) and the “first shall be last” (Matt 20:16).
The gospel is the ultimate irony. The example of Christ is the complete opposite of that carried on by bullies. He is the anti-bully. He put aside his position as God to become one of us. He served instead of demanding, healed instead of breaking, embraced instead of shunning. Finally he gave his life for others.
This is not just an example, it is a counter cultural way of life – a counter intuitive existence.
For Christ followers it is a challenge. I am angry! But Christ calls for a different response to the path that, innately, I want to take.
Travels from Ur 