Reason #317: Reconciliation

Posted at May 17, 2010

Why is “making up” so hard to do, but then when it happens, it really is fun. Somewhat of a paradox, wouldn’t you agree? Being one to often air his laundry in this blog, I will confess that Lily and I have been a bit on the “outs” during the prior week. However, yesterday one of us (and I won’t mention who) bit his (hint, hint) prideful and pouty lip and took the first step towards reconciliation and wa-la…we are now cozy again. And boy is life better like that, I gotta tell ya! Since we are on the subject of reconciliation this morning, I have another question. Why is it that some people are so adamant about using the “reconciliation” offered by Christ as a hammer to beat people over the head with? It usually goes something like this, “you better get right with Jesus, or else all that bad stuff is only going to get worse.” The underlying premise is always that there is some malady that one needs rescuing from and Jesus is the only answer. As if those who already “have” Jesus in their lives have nothing more to worry about. They are “right” with God and therefore worthy of the right to proclaim how screwed up “you” are. I used to think that Jesus, or at least the Southern-style evangelical caricature of the actual historical figure, was the answer to everything and was more than willing to beat others into like belief whenever the opportunity arose. I followed that path steadfastly, but for some reason problems kept hanging around. In fact, they got worse. Maybe that is because our benevolent Creator did not mean for our problems to go away under the guise of any particular belief system. No, life just isn’t that easy. Why? Because problems can lead to change and change can lead to growth and growth can lead to reconciliation and that can lead to a joyful existence, at least until the cycle repeats itself. And this cycle does not only apply to evangelical Christians, but is open to every human of every belief structure, as long as that belief structure allows for some degree of compassion and empathy. Reconciliation in my humble opinion is not therefore simply a matter of “getting right with Jesus,” as the only cure for our “human-ness.” Rather it is recognizing that our “human-ness” is a trait shared by all and that it is a great starting point for beginning the ascent to a higher level of that experience. Reconciliation comes when one is willing to sacrificially and without the slightest pretext of judgement help another make that climb alongside. It is then that the frailties of our human-ness begin to take on great meaning and significance. It is then when we can start “assuming the best,” rather than the worst about our human condition. Life can only get better from there!