OFFENDED?

It should have been a small matter between neighbors. It should have easily been discussed and easily resolved. But unfortunately, it wasn’t.
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It all started with a home improvement project. A backyard do-it-yourself project that started on the weekend. Then the rain comes up and a muddy mess is created. That muddy mess then unexpectedly moves into the neighbor’s yard. Then to the neighbor's patio and sidewalk. 

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​Add in a neighbor who takes a lot of pride in their lawn and shares some harsh words, and you have a recipe for a neighbor feud; something that could have been avoided with an honest conversation and a little mutual understanding.

I have witnessed that type of thing on social media over the past few days. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony caused a bit of a stir in some circles. Some are saying that the organizers of the opening ceremonies were poking fun at Christianity and that they were an affront to God.

I am not here to defend the organizers and creators of the opening ceremonies. I am also not going to criticize them for their artistic performances. You can find both defenders and attackers on social media all too easily.

What I noticed about the backlash from this performance was how harsh and caustic the responses were. It quickly became evident that so many were offended.

I started to wonder if I should also be offended because so many others were offended.

I suspect that we all know people who are easy to offend; those who believe that their own experience, understanding, or empathy far exceeds those they disagree with or dislike.

There is no hill they won’t die on to defend their position, and there’s no bridge they won’t burn to advance their ideology, or theology, which they believe is far more informed and thoughtful than yours.

Someone once asked Dallas Willard how he would define a ‘mature Christian’ and his reply was this: “I think a mature Christian is someone who is very difficult to offend.”

That is because the mature Christian realizes that they are loved and cared for by the creator of the universe. They are secure in the knowledge that they have been named and claimed in the waters of baptism and nothing can separate them from the love of God found in Christ Jesus.

Offense has rapidly become the fabric of our culture. Everywhere I turn, someone is offended. There is no shortage of profanities and abuses that should turn our stomachs and break our hearts. And sometimes situations require us to call out abuses and injustices.

Did Jesus flip the tables in the temple courts? Yes. But he didn’t instruct his followers to do that. Jesus calls his followers to be a light in the darkness shining into the world. Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth.

For those times I fail and I get offended?

Lord, remember me in your kingdom and teach me to pray.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
 
Travis Segar
Pastor for Care and Community