left behind

Well, I’m still here.

Either that means that I missed out on something very, very important in the wee hours of the morning, or Armageddon did not, in fact, arrive upon our cosmological doorstep.

Don’t get me wrong, I do think each of us, regardless of our background, should always be prepared for our time on this Earth to expire, in order that we might leave something beautiful here in our stead and [through Grace] move on to bigger and better things.

But the reason I think we should all be prepared isn’t because we know exactly when such a thing will happen. It’s because we don’t have a clue. [Jesus tells His followers just that in Mark 13:32 and Matthew 24:36; His followers have been trying to sort it out amongst themselves ever since.]

not crazy about the font. but brilliant otherwise.

What has ruffled my feathers about the whole thing is this: the sensationalists presuming to have discerned the End of the World as we Know It, the funeral protesters, the overzealous Bible-toting politicos and their fold; their approach to Christianity troubles me. I worry that, when we get wrapped up in who around us is right or wrong, we leave behind [pun totally intended], the Spirit of Love.

Don’t misunderstand me. Just because judgmental attitudes bother me does not mean I am immune from them myself, and for that I beg forgiveness. And if I’m being honest, I get why judging others is appealing. Because when I judge something or someone, I am certain about it. I know where they stand, and where I stand. ‘That is right’ or ‘That is wrong’ I can declare. But there is nothing certain about love, other than the fact we are called to take it up and give of it freely.

What am I saying? Am I saying we can’t disagree with one another? Can we not get angry about the harmful choices of others? Can we not take a stand against injustice?  Of course I’m not saying any of that. All those things are normal, good human responses to wrongdoing.

What I’m driving at is the issue of focus. What am I focused on doing with the time I have left? I’m betting that, if I am focused on judgement-on determining just what’s wrong with all these folks-that a spirit of judgment will prevail in my attitudes and actions more often than not.

If I am focused on love, I will be more inclined to love others, or at least be more inclined to desire with all my heart to do so. We were put here out of Love, and to love one another. And I suppose I have been left here for a little longer to better learn how to do just that.

I’m not sure how exactly to go about it. But I promise, at the very least, never to hold up any angry signs.