Things I Don't Want To Be . . . Part 2

4. I don't want to be unfair.
Since the beginning of time someone has cheated someone else. Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright. King David cheated Uriah out of his wife (Bathsheba). Crooked merchants rigged their scales. Hank Williams Jr. wailed about Your Cheatin' Heart. Politicians cheated voters with underhanded polling practices.

Fairness is sought after in all aspects of our lives. Personal relationships, business affairs, sports events, to name a few. There's a common term to describe fairness; it's called "a level playing field." All players get an equal chance at winning the game based upon their own skills, neither team having an unfair advantage. Even in football the teams will switch ends each quarter to account for conditions, such as wind direction or the position of the sun.

Solomon tells his son in Proverbs 1:3 to "do what is right and just and fair." Many times unfairness is given in retaliation for unfairness received (or perceived). We must break this ugly cycle and promote fairness at all cost. God gives us the opportunity to level the playing field --- before he brings in the steam roller.

5. I don't want to be a pity party participant.
I write from experience. My precious wife has endured several of mine over our 38.5 years together. Interestingly enough, the word "pity" is quite honorable as a term that properly launches compassion, sympathy or empathy. It becomes dark when we turn it inward and let it breed misery or anger or frustration. Jesus taught us to deny ourselves. I believe he meant that by directing our attention to others, really caring, sincerely listening, obeying his direction for reaching out, we realize, first of all, that we are not alone --- a definite prerequisite for a decent pity party ("Woe is me; nobody loves me; everybody hates me ... I'm too sick, I'm too broke, etc."). Secondly, we are where God wants us to be --- even if it hurts for now. He IS speaking to you. You just can't hear him over the pity party favors. Be still, and know.

6. I don't want to be a coward.
Coward is a funny word because it seems like it should refer to the direction of cattle. But it gets its root from the latin word "cauda", meaning "tail." Combined with a French term it means, figuratively, to "turn tail." An animal faced with danger and losing the fight would typically tuck its tail and run. Coward can only be applied when danger or threat is faced, the result being not forcefully advancing, not advancing at all, or downright fleeing.

A necessary part of our development is this opportunity to face some sort of danger. Our bodies are designed to secrete adrenalin for just such occasions. The important thing, however, is to realize that fearing an enemy or an event does not label us as utter failures. It labels us as human. God's children, in fact. As we mature in his love and learn to obey his will, we will find it easier to face regular threats with boldness.

Oh, yeah, there's more to come.
STEVE