There is nothing better than a grilled, juicy burger. And since I don’t eat them often, I was really looking forward to burger night at this local grill. It was past 7 pm and we were starving; so, when our burgers arrived at the table, I sunk my teeth in quickly. Sadly, it took all of two seconds for me to realize something was off. Ugh…pickles! I recognized their bitter taste immediately.
I always request they be left off and was certain the waiter had heard me. I don’t even want to see a pickle on my plate for fear the juice would seep into the fries or bun. I love when someone suggests, “Just pick it off.” Pickle lovers don’t realize that it’s too late. The acidic juices have already had time to soak into both burger and bun. The vinegary residue ruins the whole thing. I picked them off because I was famished, even though the bitter taste had already pierced my palate.
Isn’t it amazing how a tiny spec of vinegariness can pervade and spoil the entire meal? Following that thought, the smallest amount of bitterness or resentment can permeate our hearts and affect our inner peace. So, as I pondered a weekly Bible study question, “What impedes your happiness?” I remembered the pickles. While it was the sliced dills that ruined my dinner, the study asserts that happiness depends on a Who, rather than a what. And that happy people are at total peace with God. Consequently, whatever disrupts our peace, impacts our relationship with Him – our absolute source of happiness.
Hebrews 12:15 warns that “no bitter root spring up to cause trouble.” Bitterness or anger is a sin, and sin always separates us from God. So, what bitter root could be hiding within me? My life hasn’t turned out exactly the way I had planned. I’m not sure that anyone really does. I think we all have things we regret or wish for a do-over. People will wrong you. They will make promises they can’t or won’t keep. They will lie and mislead you, and they will hurt you. This has happened to me, multiple times, as I’m sure it has with others. Have you ever been told, “What goes around, comes around,” and then you honestly watch and wait to see it happen? You want to see them “get theirs” as some sort of consolation prize for your pain. That, my friends, is bitterness. It’s the pickle to my heart.
The key to unlocking bitterness is forgiveness. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew, Chapter 5 contains the entire list of Beatitudes or Christ-like attitudes we should strive to emulate. Merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers to name a few. So, instead of keeping a list of “wrongs” running in the background, we are to focus on the list of “rights.” To believe and become more like Christ and leave the rest to God. This does not mean to count on the “vengeance is mine, says the Lord” verse, but rather surrender your hurts to Him. Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted.
Picking the pickles off my burger seems melodramatic compared to the task of total forgiveness. To let go of all the wrongs, each and every one of them, and not worry what happens to the so-called offender. To show mercy and wish them well. It will be like taking a big eraser to my heart. To wipe the pickle juice off my plate and move on. Peace will come as I learn to let go and focus solely on the truly good things in my life. I am blessed, for they are many.
Hebrews 12:15 – Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.
Matthew 5: 3-10 – 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The mantra for my yoga class this morning: Be grounded and rooted in love. Throughout the class, my instructor repeated, “Take a deep breath and say, I am grounded and rooted in love.” While yoga philosophy is not based on Christianity, it does have a spiritual and meditative core. I can easily adapt these yoga essentials to my Christian faith.
Twenty-four years ago, my April 3rd birthday fell on Easter Sunday. Two days earlier, my son was born on a Good Friday. I felt amazed that God would give me such a beautiful baby boy on the same, sacred day his son had given his life for mine. Sure, there were plenty more babies born that Good Friday. As a matter of fact, I have a friend whose daughter arrived the same day, in the same hospital. However, on this Easter weekend, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by God’s love for me. This was the beginning of my awakening as a Christian.
Now, a Duke graduate, his wish was to return to Durham, North Carolina, and celebrate with friends. The campus was more lovely than I remembered. This Easter Sunday, I finally got to experience worship in the exquisite Duke Chapel. The majesty of the chapel with its ornate woodwork and gorgeous stained-glass windows added to the Easter experience. The sounds of the choir echoed beautifully off the limestone. This celebration of Christ’s life and resurrection was heavenly. It reminded me of the infamous Mercy Me song. And I wondered, what will worship be like in heaven? I Can Only Imagine. What will it by like to thank him face-to-face? My life is a gift; given simply because he loves me. Until the day we meet, I intend to live my life as if Jesus were the one and only reason I have mine. What more could I offer him in return?
Star Wars: The Last Jedi was released today on DVD and blue ray. While it is by no means a filmmaking masterpiece, Star Wars geeks like me will gladly add Episode VIII to our media libraries and watch it countless times. I enjoy everything Star Wars. It’s entertaining; and, yes, I can quote lines from the movies.