Seek to Understand Rather Than Being Understood

Jesus ....
           loved Saul and transformation happened.

           led Paul to write that we are to overcome evil with good.

           entered this world of hatred that killed babies to teach us to love those who persecute us.

           left this world being injured but declaring that He wanted God to pardon His killers.

           was asked to reconcile brothers fighting over stuff and taught that bigger barns is no 
                 answer.

           heard the question “What is truth?” and answered with “I am the truth.”

           taught in a world filled with doubt of the religious leaders, but gave sight and insight.

           sent Paul into situations where people were depressed with failure to give new life to a
                jailer.

           told people who were powerless from a worldly perspective that they were the light of the
                world.

           got down in the trenches with grieving people and grieved with them.

           sought to understand from the time he was an independent pre-teen.

           gave a new kind of love that washes feet.

           taught that love cannot be given away for it comes back ten fold.

           showed that true love comes from true reception of deep forgiveness for broken          
                sinfulness.

           reminded the accusers that before they threw stones, they should examine their hearts.

           taught that if we would be His disciples, we must be carrying our crosses daily.

I like the words of St. Francis of Assi:

    Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

    Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

    Where there is injury, pardon;

    Where there is discord, harmony;

    Where there is error, truth;

    Where there is doubt, faith;

    Where there is despair, hope;

    Where there is darkness, light;

    And where there is sadness, joy.

    O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

    To be consoled as to console;

    To be understood as to understand;

    To be loved as to love.

    For it is in giving that we receive;

    It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

    And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Larry Wishard