Bless, bless

When my children were young, life was a bit chaotic at times.  Inevitably a permission slip or an AWANA vest would go missing and there would be a mad scramble to find the lost item.  To this day, my family would attest to the fact that I would frequently misplace my half-consumed cup of coffee somewhere in the house and then lament that I couldn’t find it!  More often than not, my daughter would disappear and then reappear a minute or two later with the lost item and hand it to me!  I would make a big show of gratitude by placing both of my hands on her head and enthusiastically saying, “Bless you, my child.  Bless you!”  Her bright blue eyes would twinkle and her little face would light up with a big smile because she knew she had just been a big helper for Mommy!

It is easy to bless those you know, and those who are loving and helpful toward you, but what about people who act aggressively toward you?  Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  While our natural inclination might be to lash out, scripture instructs us to bless that person.  It is important to note that this command is given twice!

To bless someone is to call earnestly for them to be blessed by the Lord.  To curse someone is to call earnestly for evil upon someone.  While we may not encounter life-threatening persecution in America, the potential exists for things such as name-calling, doxing, isolation, and general harassment, which are all forms of persecution.  As ambassadors for Christ, our business needs to be about bringing light, truth, peace, love, and blessing into every situation we encounter, especially the ones fraught with negativity and darkness. 

He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep.  To curse someone is simply to call more darkness upon an already dark situation, which will do nothing but escalate things in the wrong direction.  Metaphorically speaking, it would be like a sheep encountering a snarling, aggressive pack of wolves, and calling upon another wolf for help. Our help comes from the Lord, our Good Shepherd.  Scripture says the following:

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.” (Psalm 121:7)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3)

Our Shepherd protects and brings peace to His flock.  If vengeance is needed, it is His to give, not ours.  If someone persecutes or curses us, our response should be to call for a double blessing upon them, thus infusing the situation with God’s light and love.

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Bless, bless…

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