June 21 Harmony with One Another 1 Peter 3:8-9)
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Growing up in a close knit community, it was easy to know the pleasant people and, equally as easy, to recognize the difficult. There was a particular individual that was “down right hateful.” He, apparently, had been difficult his entire life. Some said that he was just like his mother! How sad is that? Anyway, he was an active part of the church leaders and he brought to the process his unique brand of difficulty. It appeared, from his behavior, that he was opposed to everything. I recall that the “Youth” were going to prepare some “Goodie” baskets for the local Nursing Home Residents. You would think this was a noble undertaking, yet, not for him. He pointed out the issues with every opportunity to be negative and he always saw the worst in every situation. Truthfully, I had difficulty in “Loving” this man! I observed that Daddy seemed to have a working relationship with this “Grumpy and Hateful Old Man.” So, I asked how that it was that Daddy seemed to be friendly to him, and amazingly, he was, as best as he could, friendly to Daddy! “Granted, he is a character and there are times when he is just plain hard to deal with, yet, he is not an exception to the call to love our neighbor! The hurtful comments that he makes, and the insults and obstacles, that he likes to say, have got to be covering up some personal tragedy or challenge, from his past.” Daddy instructed me to treat him with kindness, even though, he was a miserable human to be around! So, I tried it Daddy’s way, and low and behold, this old grumpy Billy Goat started treating me, a brash and loud mouth teenager, with some shockingly and amazing level of respect. “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult;” these words were so true in this case. I actually did some farm work for him and I got to know him and, just like Daddy said, he had some issues from his past that colored his present attitude. I worked hard for this man and, finally, he actually was complimentary of the job done. Wait a minute! Was he nice to me, on purpose? Folks, life can beat folks down and cause them to only see the future from their own broken experiences. Our job, our responsibility, is to “LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES!” I knew that if I could get him at Mama’s table and have him experience her unique brand of witness through her kitchen, I would have a shot at helping him turn away from the bitterness and to move towards the “HOPE” for living, found in Obedience to God’s Word. Sure enough, he finally sat down at our table and Mama, in her gifted way, began her witness through her amazing cooking. Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, “Green Butterbeans,” Homemade Biscuits, and the topper; From Scratch Carrot Cake! I would like to tell you that this particular man had an “Ebenezer Scrooge” conversion, and, in some ways, close, yet, he continued to be difficult, however, not as challenging as he had been. Jokingly, I would say that, had it not been for his regular “Booster Shot” of Cake and Pie and Barbara’s Kitchen Fair, he would have reverted back to his “Grumpy old ways.” What would Jesus do? He told us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER, and He did not place any exceptions or unique circumstances to this decree! This experience of my youth; has helped me minister to the hateful and the unlovable! Our call to action is simply…“Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!