Live Generously

I am sadden when I see stories like the one of the officer and the man who was arrested at his own house. It saddens me that they could not sit down and be humble. It saddens me that they both are going to have to "be right" rather than being able to say things could have been different. This is not a blog/commentary about that specific situation. It is a blog to challenge us all on how we do this everyday.
How many times do we say to ourselves, friends, or family - "I am right and I am not going to apologize - I did not do anything wrong! They need to apologize to me!" We have heard it said and we say it and think it. This is not the way of Jesus. The following is the way Jesus taught us to live:

"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."

Matthew 5:38-40

If we claim the name of God, of Jesus, do we "live generously?" I do not think Jesus is saying that if you get hit just let them keep hitting you. I think he is saying here that if someone offends you and you get mad at them, hit them back, hold to your anger you have done nothing to change the situation. You have only joined them in their anger. They have changed you!

We need to be the agents of change. We are to bring the love and peace into this world. If we are offended or hurt somehow could we be able to show compassion, understanding, and grace towards those who have hurt us? Or are we going to hurt back, hold onto being "right," and join them in the lower energy of anger? Could we raise the level of living by showing love?

This is how Jesus lived his life and how he asked us to live ours - give your life away. In each moment see how you can step aside and let others through. Stop worrying about if you will get recognized or not. Stop thinking about how people should treat you. Start thinking about how you should treat people. Start thinking about how you could recognize and thank others. Stop being selfish and start being selfless.

I wish both of these men could say to themselves and each other "yea I could have done that different." Somehow not hit back for the percieved offense. What a great lesson would have been taught. This is our job as people of grace in this world.

Namaste'