Blame or compassion?
There are certain days when we want someone to blame for life's issues. It's called the blame-game, and a game without any winners. We've all played it at one time or another. We do something risky, unwise, or costly, and, instead of accepting our responsibility, we look for someone else to blame. We point the finger at our kids, our spouse, our coworker, the dog. You burn dinner not because you were careless, but because the dog had to go out and you didn't hear the timer. You miss your doctor's appointment not because you forgot, but because they failed to give you that reminder phone call.
It may be human nature to blame others for our mistakes, and while it deflects our faults to others, it doesn't take away the consequences. When our son was a little boy, he had an imaginary friend named Harold. With complete conviction in his voice, Harold was the cause of everything unacceptable. Out of our son's presence, we laughed about Harold. Still, we also were aware of the life lesson we needed to convey to him about accepting responsibility for one's actions.
We expect blame-shifting from children, but sadly not all adults grow to mental and emotional maturity. What kind of example are we to our children when we blame others for our mistakes and refuse to take responsibility? It is a gift to our children to show them that setbacks can be learning opportunities.
Genesis 3:12,13 The man said, "The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate it."
If Adam would have come clean by confessing his sin, possibly his consequences would not have been so severe. Not only did he fail to confess, but he also blamed God for it.
We blame the church for our lack of spiritual growth. Even worse, we blame God for our poor choices. "God, why is this happening to me?" "God, why are you punishing me?" When we blame God, we see him incorrectly. We fail to see him as a loving God whose desire for us is to stop blaming and start living a responsible life.
Undeniably, our country and the world have seen many unfortunate things this year. The events of this year, more than any other, have caused us to play the blame game. The United States is overwhelmed with a pandemic that has taken too many of our citizens' lives. Racial issues that should have been dealt with decades ago finally boiled over, loss of jobs and uncertainty have consumed our thoughts and attitudes. It is human nature to wants answers, and we deserve answers. We should address the lack of accountability and demand change, but we all need to show compassion and grace in the midst of it.
Psalm 86:15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
Interestingly, the Bible doesn't explain compassion like a dictionary does, only telling us what the word means. Instead, the Bible defines compassion by showing us what kindness looks like and what is involved with being compassionate. It means "to suffer with" or "suffer together." It requires doing and not pointing fingers.
Jesus gave up everything, voluntarily and selflessly sacrificing Himself for us to have eternal life. That is the greatest example of compassion in all of history. The cross is the place to recognize the depths of God's love and mercy for us.
2020 has been a very trying year on a lot of levels, but tough times define us. The power of the human spirit can be beautiful and should reflect compassion. It can bring love and reconciliation to life's most daunting challenges. In times likes these, hope and faith are forces that cannot be denied.
Blessings,
Peggy Zumhofe
Executive Pastor
