The thin line between hate and grace

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do." ~ Jesus as recorded in Luke 23:34
"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying 'If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other answering, rebuked him, saying, 'do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom? And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise". Luke 23:29-43

My heart is heavy as I write this piece. The conflict in my soul drives me to God's word and into continual prayer. The tragic murder Christmas night of a young police officer in Newman California has deeply affected the community. The cry for justice carried into the nation and fanned the flames in the current political controversy over legal and illegal immigrants.
Officer Corporal Ronil Singh had legally immigrated to the United States from Fiji and was considered an "American patriot by those who knew him. The man suspected of  killing him in cold blood, has several aliases and is said to be an illegal alien. Thankfully he was quickly arrested after social media and the news spread his picture.
And just as quickly there spread an ugly layer of hate filled comments and suggestions on what should be done to the suspect and sadly, even hateful comments towards the fallen officer because he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

What is wrong with us as a society? Are we so blinded by the beam in our own eyes that we fail to see that we are no different than those on whom we spew our words of condemnation?
As I was struggling with my own emotions over this senseless crime (we have family members and friends who are police officers, and friends who knew Officer Singh), I recognized my desire for vengeance on the one who is suspected of killing him. The old "eye for an eye" seemed justifiable as I read comments on social media. After all, officer Singh was simply doing his job but was shot down in cold blood, widowing his wife and leaving his 5 month old child without a father. Certainly we are justified in crying out for the death of the one who killed him.
But then...
The soft voice of grace penetrated my heart.
"He (the suspect) is in need of My grace, My salvation. Pray for him."
It is a bitter pill to swallow, but I know it is true. 
How quickly we are able to jump into the boat of hate and the fight for vengeance, but how difficult it seems to be to apply grace to those who are in most desperate need.
Show me how Father. I cannot do it on my own.
As I prayed I recalled a story I had read about Corrie ten Boom on how she had been able to forgive a guard who had severely beaten her and her sister Betsie when they were imprisoned in Ravensbruk for hiding Jews during the Holocaust. Betsie had subsequently died in that prison from her injuries and malnutrition. But at a speaking conference after the war, there was the guard standing before Corrie asking her to forgive him. She knew she should forgive, because she had been forgiven, but the memory of her sister's death clung close to her heart. She stood there wrestling with her emotions as the man extended his hand, looking for forgiveness. She said it was the most difficult thing she had ever had to do. She knew she should forgive as she'd been forgiven, but the actual act of doing so was beyond her human capabilities. But knowing that forgiveness is not an emotion, but an act of will, she prayed silently "Jesus help me! I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling."

And then God's grace did what only His grace can do. She was able to genuinely forgive him.
(I encourage you to read the whole story. You can find it in Guideposts Classics: Corrie ten Boom on Forgiveness at https://www.guideposts.org)

It is a thin line that we walk between hate and grace. The choice is ours as to where we are going to dwell. Those who choose to hold on to hate and bitterness become captive to their choice, and those who choose to embrace grace are liberated to love as we have been loved.

We aren't responsible for the choices, behavior and actions of others, but we are responsible for our own.
What will your choices, behaviors and actions be as we finish out the old year and head into the new?
I pray you will choose grace, forgiveness, kindness and love. May the legacy we leave to those who follow us be one that leads them to Christ.

May God richly bless each of you, strengthening you where you feel weak, comforting you where you need comfort, and encouraging you when you feel faint of heart. Above all things, may you find peace as you rest in His loving embrace.

Changing seasons with an unchanging God

"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

As I sat here this morning watching the scene before me change from sunshine to heavy fog, and then to watery sunlight, I couldn't help but marvel over God's great love and how intimately involved He is in our lives. The first time I ever really paid attention to the verse above was when I was working as a telephone operator just the year after I graduated from high school.  Although I thought I knew everything there was to know about life when I graduated, I quickly realized the world was much bigger, and more difficult than I had imagined. That particular day on the switchboard hadn't been especially wonderful, and I was contemplating what my future held. When the light lit up on the switchboard panel before me, I had no clue how the next few moments would profoundly affect my life.
The voice of the young man on the other end of the line was not interested in placing a call, but was adamant that I understood how much God loved me, and made me promise I would read Isaiah 41:10 when I got home. Amused but a bit curious by the call, I made certain to keep my promise.
The knowledge of God's deep love became profoundly clear as I read the passage.
"Fear not, for I am with you." It's as though God was speaking directly to my worries and concerns about moving out of my parents home and into the vast unknown. "Be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you." The confirmation for strength that I knew I didn't have. Leaving the security of the known could only come with the  assurance that I was not alone.
"I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  There He was, telling me I didn't need to worry or fear, He had heard my unspoken prayers.
I cannot tell you the number of times this verse has brought me comfort and peace through the seasons of life.
And so as we head into another Christmas that has come and gone much too quickly, and a new year looming on the near horizon, I encourage you to remember. Remember the numerous joys of past Christmases. Remember the love of family. Remember the blessings God has poured out lavishly upon you and those you love.
Remember that He is the same, yesterday, today and forever and He has promised to never leave or forsake His children.
May you find His presence palatable this Christmas season and may you walk peaceably with Him throughout the coming year.