Resentment is Not Right

   I pray that you are living this day and all of the days ahead with the deep, uniquely Christian awareness that

• God is good
• the future is filled with hope
• and that our witness to the world matters.

   C.S. Lewis, the popular, British theologian of the last century, was fond of writing about the future in fantastic ways. He also wrote some about politics. He said that the person who focuses too much on politics can be tempted to spend too much time comparing themselves to others. The comparison lie leads to measuring others in unfair ways. He goes on to say person then...

...therefore resents every kind of superiority in others; denigrates it; wishes its annihilation. Presently he suspects every mere difference of being a claim to superiority. No one must be different from himself in voice, clothes, manners, recreations, choice of food: “Here is someone who speaks English rather more clearly and euphoniously than I — it must be a vile, upstage, la-di-da affectation. Here’s a fellow who says he doesn’t like hot dogs — thinks himself too good for them, no doubt. Here’s a man who hasn’t turned on the jukebox — he’s one of those highbrows and is doing it to show off. If they were honest-to-God all-right Joes they’d be like me. They’ve no business to be different. It’s undemocratic.” - from Screwtape Proposes a Toast, 1959

   Did you catch that? If we're not careful, we begin to hate our differences, living as though, "People who are different are bad." You and I know that Jesus is not in such thoughts. But, how often have our thoughts moved down this exact same path?
   My prayer is that we focus on what is kind, honorable, and true. May we not fall into the trap of thinking about ourselves as compared to others, but instead stand firm on the truth that God is good, our future in Christ is amazing, and being led by the Spirit is the greatest witness we can have.
   Grace and peace, Scott