Non-Interference

What a word - non-interference. We like to interfere - intervene or intrude in the affairs of and meddle - in people's lives. We do this with our children all the time. We tell them to stop, quit, and don't. We solve their problems for them when they come to us and say that someone will not share, or that they had that toy first. We interfere and solve the problem for them handing one of them the toy, or making someone share. They never really get to learn how to do this themselves.
We do it with our partners, family members, co-workers, and friends. We want to "do it for them" because it is easier then showing them how to do it or allowing them to make the mistakes that would be required to actually learn the task at hand. Really we should be practicing love by practicing non-interference. Jesus taught us how to do this.

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Matthew 19:16-24

So does Jesus interfere in this young man's life? Does he follow him back to his house and help him sell all of his stuff? Does he show him how to have a yard sale? Does Jesus explain it over and over again to him? Does Jesus even stop him and say, "Well you did not understand me, so let me tell you again." Jesus practices non-interference with this man. He allows this man to walk away and figure out if he is willing to make these changes or not. Jesus loves that man that much. So much to allow him to go and make his own decision and work it out. Many times we think we are loving people if we could just help them make the right decision. If only we could do it for them and then they would understand. What a false way of thinking. Jesus tells us how false it is. Jesus say that it is easier to push a camel through the eye of a needle than to get this man to understand by doing it for him.

Think about it - it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle! And Jesus says that that is easier than trying to get someone to do something they do not want to learn. The impossible is more possible than trying to get someone to understand by doing it for them! So next time you would like to interfere in someone's life when they need to make a decision for themselves remember that it would be easier for you to get a needle and a camel and try the impossible. Practice non-interference and allow people to work out their own lives and decisions. Give guidance and direction, but allow them to work out the details. When my son plays with his cousins and they want to come to me or my wife with a complaint, our response is usually - "go work it out." They look at us funny and they do and they learn how to solve it. Allow God to work in others. Allow them to find the answers that work for them. Guide them and direct them but let them go with no interference.

Namaste'