I stopped yesterday at 119 because the next page drives me nuts. The good news is I am not the only one!! David, Peter and other Biblical writers all struggled with "why does it seem as if the unjust go unpunished?". Why does it seem as though we go through experiences that hurt us greatly and there is no resolution? Sorry papa, not satisfied with "sin is its own punishment". I guess that it why it is so easy to fall into the framework of "God, please smiteth the evil" and our failure is that we then accuse those whom we are at odds with as being of the devil! I think Jesus had it going on when he spoke of repentance.... everyone who has fallen short or is living separated from God (that is sin, not simple acts but a state of brokenness and separation which leads to those acts.. that is why even as I am frustrated with papa's quote s/he is very right!) and we are required to turn it around.. I'm sorry will only go so far! Eventually we have to mean it. Otherwise, we do serve as our own punishers, also punishing those around us as well. And page 121 says it all: "Each seemed more aware of the others than of themselves." That is what a life committed to holiness is really all about! Being aware of the world around us, seeing and accepting our impact upon it, the impact of others upon us, and then growing toward the best rather than the easiest or the self interested. When our great hope is not to dominate but to consolidate, then the Kingdom of God begins to be realized.
How do you evaluate your relationships? Are you one who finds it easy to say your sorry? How far should we go in a broken relationship before we acknowledge incompatibility? When have you found yourself wounded by someone whose pride will not bring resolution? Have you ever hurt someone and not offered and apology?
What are the sins in your life? How about the tendencies that might lead to sin? (arrogance, pride, self centeredness, anger, contempt, etc?)
Does accepting the awareness of those who surround us mean that we roll over and become martyrs when wounded? Should Christians be doormats for the broken?
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