~ written by Connie Dunmyer
Last week was a really difficult week for me, as I know it was for many of you. We have been reminded all too clearly that evil not only exists, but that there are times when it appears to overcome. And it can be very easy to become depressed, angry, unforgiving, and to wallow in those feelings.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling [cleave] to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. [willing to do menial work]. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
~ Romans 12:9-21
As I read this, I notice it’s kind of like a “grocery list” of items. In general, I really like lists, especially when I can check things off. It’s a list of action… a “list of love”. And it appears, to me at least, that if we put our focus here – that depression, anger, unforgiveness, and wallowing will cease. It’s impossible think two things at once, at the same time. So let’s put our thoughts and focus here – on this list of love actions.
Another thing I notice is that this list is about love in action, good vs evil, and community and connection. We read how we are to love, but not to embrace evil while loving others. We are to share with others in various ways. And while giving financially is definitely giving, I believe this is more about sharing our spirits. The sharing of ourselves. These days we all seem so siloed. So disconnected. We get stuck on our phones, or stuck at work, or stuck in our own opinions. And we isolate from everyone else. Think about how much time you actually spend talking to another person face-to-face. Technology can be great – but I fear it’s destroying our empathy and our connection to other people. Based upon this love-list, I don’t think God ever intended for us to be so disconnected from each other. And He certainly never said that the proof of love is accepting evil behavior.
Finally I notice that all of these things are important. I can’t really “pick and choose” those I like. I cannot say “Well, I like to be hospitable – but menial work is not my spiritual gift.”
Because of the events of September 10, I’d like to bring focus on the last item of this love checklist:
~ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~
We lost a young Godly man last week because someone was overcome by evil. And I found myself overcome by feelings anger turned hatred. But if I respond in kind, will I not also be overcome by that evil. Not their evil – but my own. My heart cannot mend. And the infection of evil will always be there, until the day I open my heart to the Spirit and allow Him to cut deeper and deeper to get to the poison so it may be removed. And that is a very painful process.
However, if I try to live out this love list – and overcome evil with good – then my heart can be pure, and content, and at peace.
Charlie Kirk liked this Oscar Wilde quote:
“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.”
So yes, forgiveness and “heaping those coals” (vs 20) will be added – but the important thing is, we will be released from any and all sepsis of the soul.
Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly. Sepsis may progress to septic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death. Early treatment of sepsis improves chances for survival. [Mayo clinic]
Obviously, this is the definition for the body. But consider “sepsis of the soul”. When we do not forgive, we hold that infection in OUR own souls, and thus our hearts, our spirits cannot respond properly. In fact, the unforgiveness turns on US. If it goes on long enough, we may progress to septic shock: a severe drop in love and empathy for others. It can damage our relationships and our thought patterns. Read the body diagnosis again and see if you can recognize any of the symptoms in your spirit – in your life. And just like the body, early treatment improves chances for survival. Whether it starts as a big thing or a small thing - the cure is the same ... Early Treatment - Early Forgiveness improves our chances for a life and spirit of love and peace - and enables us to live out this love-checklist.
The comfort I found for this horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk is a verse that the Lord gave me within minutes of hearing he had died. I was crying in disbelief. I asked God “why?” And I was reminded of this:
“Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.” ~ John 12:24
I don’t pretend to know the whys or the reasons. I don’t pretend to be God and know how on earth his family is going to be comforted. But I do know that the God I serve HAS all those answers, the reasons, and the whys – and that HE is the only One Who can and will bring comfort to Charlie’s family, friends, associates, students, and everyone who will ultimately be considered his “fruit”. Thanks be to God!
One last quote from Charlie Kirk: “When discourse ends, violence begins.”
Let’s connect. Let’s talk. Let’s share ourselves with another. Let’s live out the list of love God gave us together.
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