July 27

Day 135: Like a Coiled Spring

Proverbs 18:2 says, "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."

In our age of outrage, it is easy to be a fool. A fool  will focus completely on the most extreme versions of other perspectives while ignoring any backstory. Rather than listen to understand, the fool will instead double down on his own perspective.

A fool wants only to air out his or her opinion. Express outrage. And be approved for doing so. A fool will respond to being challenged by any differing perspectives with more outrage. Always poised and ready to push back.

Like a coiled spring.

It is much easier for a fool to hate someone when she can create her own narratives about them. Thus the fool will be able to ignore Jesus' commands to love your enemies, avoid slander, and turning the other cheek. Ultimately making the fool's delusion seamless.

Ever noticed how fools are much braver online than they are in person?

Ever noticed how most fools simply and blindly forward the unchecked thoughts of others, rather than create anything resembling an original thought?

Outraged online comments can easily create an offense greater than the original infraction. If we believe self-expression is our greatest right, we rarely exercise restraint. A fool, however, sees any resultant push back as adversity if not personal attack.

Proverbs 18:17 says just this. "The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him."

If contrary opinions are recast from tutor to enemy, we fools settle for an idealized version of ourselves. Everyone is reduced to a "good person" or a "bad person." All based on who agrees with us.

What would change if every professing Christian determined to no longer participate in online battles, political or otherwise? What if, instead of looking for new wars to fight, we would become peacemakers?

God hates sin, because it spoils His shalom, His peace intended for all Creation. We are not at peace with others, because we are not at peace within ourselves; because we are not at peace with God.

God intends for His people to be at peace with Himself and His people. Fools would rather just air it out.

Colossians 1:19-20 tells us, "For in him [Jesus] all the fullness of God was please to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Jesus was human enough to bear our punishment, and infinite enough to endure it.

The shed blood of Jesus ushered in the possibility for peace. Those who believe His sacrifice was/is sufficient are at peace, forever.

Wouldn't it be something to behold if the Church, instead of imitating foolishness, would live as if we know peace?

Instead of reacting like coiled springs?

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau