STANDING IN 'STEAD' OF SOMEONE

STANDING IN ‘STEAD’ OF SOMEONE

Pity is never a positive emotion; empathy is infinitely more practical, compassionate and actionable.

It is so easy to stand on the periphery of others’ life-situations and morph quickly into their judge, jury and verbal executioner.  Quite candidly, the human condition is so incredibly complex that it is patently absurd to assume that we will ever fully apprehend the faults, foibles, failures and fiascoes of others.  Indeed, it seems virtually impossible for us (non-divine entities) to do so.

So we make the deliberate choice to stop judging others – to start accepting, forgiving and loving.

Unconditional love simply means that someone’s worldview does not have to precisely synch with mine to perceive the inherent value that has been generously deposited and endowed by that person’s Creator.

Dysfunctional people, if I may be permitted to term them as such, are actually crying out for more time, attention, care, concern, acceptance, and yes, love.  Their inward struggle produces powerful emotions (pain, anxiety, insecurity, fear) which dominate and motivate them to act out – in ostensibly absurd, conflicted and selfish ways.  Sometimes they offend us, even while their heart’s desire is to do otherwise.

What can we do about this?  On my end, I resolve to make stronger efforts to reach out, to understand, to communicate without reciprocal requirements or demands, to emotionally stand in the stead of others who are seriously hurting – many of whom have little awareness of the depth of their injuries and malfunctions.

Why am I motivated to do so?  There are at least two reasons.  Firstly, others have proactively understood, embraced and loved me through my life’s follies.  [Note: My errors will not be enumerated here because there is insufficient time and space]!  Secondly, Jesus Christ performed the ultimate act of redemptive love by literally standing in my place and purposefully experiencing my humiliation, judgment, pain, punishment and death on Calvary’s cross.

Thank You, Jesus!  It’s amazing grace.  Plain and simple.

In honor of HIM…I will diligently strive to understand and love others, even when they seem to be closed-off, hostile, angry, confused, inconsistent, or indifferent.  I choose to love…and so do you.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!