While attending university many years ago, I was able to secure a summer job with the city’s sewer department. My primary job for one summer was to install new lines for new homes. On one occasion, one of the guys was pushing dirt with his bulldozer into one of the holes where we had just installed a new line. The only problem was that I was still at the bottom of the pit. Not thinking, I took off my hard hat and threw it at him and it hit him in the side of his face. What happened next was not surprising. He uttered all sorts of nasty words that were anything but complimentary to me and my Lord and Saviour.
In Paul’s letter to James, the writer reminds us that our words and actions should reflect our love for God. Secondly, because we are his followers, we are not to think we are better than others. Before God, we all need the Saviour’s love and forgiveness.
My reaction was also not a healthy one. I could have handled the situation much differently.
Lord, when confronted with difficult situations, help me to ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” I want you to make me an instrument of your peace. Amen. —