Don't Be a Fox

As much as I try to be understanding when I know or realize someone doesn't like me, it still manages to carry a trace of hurt with it. I try to be very mindful to not let any bitter or unwholesome roots spring up within me, but is not without great effort at times.

On one hand, it makes you feel like you have to set your face against the wind, steady your gaze and prepare to once again to walk alone. It may cause you to question the tasks you know God has called you to. You know He is greater and, ultimately, you will overcome through Him and by His grace...but the insecurity tries to creep in and to overthrow God's plans and purpose. 

"Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes."   Song of Solomon 2:15

We often think of the little foxes as being outside the church, outside the fellowship of believers...but not always. Sometimes we are the foxes that spoil another's vine. Shame on us when we do. We often hinder the work of God in another because of our actions or attitudes. 

We think we have a right to our opinions, even if those opinions serve only to tear another down. If we belong to Christ, we gave up our right to ourselves. We yielded our lives to His will, His plan and His purpose. We yielded ourselves to His love.

Jesus can save anyone who calls upon His name, yet we offer no one redemption for mistakes made, real or imagined. "Love God. Love people." Those were the two commandments that Jesus used to sum up all of the law. 

He didn't specify any exclusions. In fact, He took it a step further when He said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" ~Matthew 5:43-46

Don't like someone? Pray for them. Bless them. Do good to them and then pray some more. You just might change them. God just might change you.

"Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But then He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” ~Matthew 9:35-38

We are called to love and serve like Jesus. According to God's word we are already short-handed, so let's not waste time as foxes. Let us go out and be laborers. Build up and stop tearing down.