Abby is our Lab- Pitt Bull-Mutt mix. She's been with us over five years now. About a year and a half ago, Marcus and Kelsie adopted River, a Tawny little kitty. For the most part they tolerate each other as long as River doesn't get near Abby when she's eating or around bedtime (she's grouchy when she's sleepy).
Abby isn't tolerant enough to let River snuggle up with her on a cold day, but they can share the couch or a sunny spot on the kitchen floor. Mostly, they share the house like roommates who need someone to help cover rent, but have nothing in common.
But every now and then they try to play. Abby is a typical dog. Jump forward, head down, butt up and wagging. She wants River to chase her and she wants to chase back. She'll stomp at River with her paw if she has to, sending River to higher ground and Abby in hot pursuit. Abby looks like she just wants to play.
River on the other hand is a bit more... bloodthirsty. She'll take a run at Abby and go straight for her neck. Claws out, front legs wrapped securely around her head and fangs on Abby's throat. Abby brushes her off and she flees. When Abby pokes River with her nose, the cat goes after her eyes, and ears.
Abby has whined a couple of times, but with a 60 pound dog and a 4 pound cat, there's not a lot of chance she'll get hurt badly. But she usually looks at me in confusion like, "What the heck? Why doesn't she play right?"
We've all got cats in our lives. People who don't play right. They don't come at the world the same way as we do. What drives them is different. What they care about is different. What encourages them is different. What sets them off is different. They aren't bad people, they're just different.
We walk away from time with them thinking, "What the heck? Why don't they think right?"
It occurs to me, there wasn't anyone ever more different than Jesus. He did everything differently. I think that's why a few times in scripture he gets so frustrated with the disciples. They just didn't get it. It took three years of walking with him, his death and resurrection for them to finally clue in to his message.
The sucky thing for us is one of his core messages was basically, "You need to love the cats in your life." So I kind of understand why the disciples took so long to clue in. Loving people who scratch at your eyes, bite your ears and go for your jugular isn't really intuitive.
In the United States, there is a widening gap in cultures of those inside the church and those out. Not to mention the politics. With that in mind, we would be wise to remember Christ's teachings in Mathew 5 especially, 38-48. They are powerful. They are convicting. And they are truth.
I should probably read them every morning. I need to love the people who do not look like, think like and act like me. I need to love my cat people.
Abby isn't tolerant enough to let River snuggle up with her on a cold day, but they can share the couch or a sunny spot on the kitchen floor. Mostly, they share the house like roommates who need someone to help cover rent, but have nothing in common.
But every now and then they try to play. Abby is a typical dog. Jump forward, head down, butt up and wagging. She wants River to chase her and she wants to chase back. She'll stomp at River with her paw if she has to, sending River to higher ground and Abby in hot pursuit. Abby looks like she just wants to play.
River on the other hand is a bit more... bloodthirsty. She'll take a run at Abby and go straight for her neck. Claws out, front legs wrapped securely around her head and fangs on Abby's throat. Abby brushes her off and she flees. When Abby pokes River with her nose, the cat goes after her eyes, and ears.
Abby has whined a couple of times, but with a 60 pound dog and a 4 pound cat, there's not a lot of chance she'll get hurt badly. But she usually looks at me in confusion like, "What the heck? Why doesn't she play right?"
We've all got cats in our lives. People who don't play right. They don't come at the world the same way as we do. What drives them is different. What they care about is different. What encourages them is different. What sets them off is different. They aren't bad people, they're just different.
We walk away from time with them thinking, "What the heck? Why don't they think right?"
It occurs to me, there wasn't anyone ever more different than Jesus. He did everything differently. I think that's why a few times in scripture he gets so frustrated with the disciples. They just didn't get it. It took three years of walking with him, his death and resurrection for them to finally clue in to his message.
The sucky thing for us is one of his core messages was basically, "You need to love the cats in your life." So I kind of understand why the disciples took so long to clue in. Loving people who scratch at your eyes, bite your ears and go for your jugular isn't really intuitive.
In the United States, there is a widening gap in cultures of those inside the church and those out. Not to mention the politics. With that in mind, we would be wise to remember Christ's teachings in Mathew 5 especially, 38-48. They are powerful. They are convicting. And they are truth.
I should probably read them every morning. I need to love the people who do not look like, think like and act like me. I need to love my cat people.
Good article Jeff!
ReplyDeleteThanks Buddy!
Delete"In the United States, there is a widening gap in cultures of those inside the church and those out." Really? I think we are very aware of the gap...but not just between the churched & the unchurched. As when Jesus walked here...He seemed to express the most anger with the ones who misrepresented God's Truth by substituting their own while claiming they spoke for God! That kind of thing always has evoked indignant responses from me, too... "Please don't tell me what I said...I'm right here & although some of your words may be close, your focus & intentions are misplaced & not at all what I mean!"
ReplyDeleteThe religious were mostly unaware to Whom they were speaking but you can feel the fire in Jesus' Words when He confronted them...reflecting His knowledge of the Error in their hearts that promoted the error in their words.
Personally, I would "ignore" the chapter division and include Matthew 6:1 & following when looking at what Jesus was saying..."Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them...."
Frankly, when sharing God's Love & Truth, it has frequently appeared to me that the unchurched are often Very Appreciative & Responsive to His Truth. (This being in a different platform than the Division which you were referencing). Especially, when the unchurched can feel His Compassion for their pain & desperation. Nothing like a Candle when one is bruised & lost, running into all kinds of things in a hostile world.
I appreciate you, your heart & message. Thanks for sharing what God has laid upon your heart, Jeff.
Rick