Tuesday, February 9, 2010

at the end of your rope

Rats, informants, snitches, finks-many names that describe a person who you trusted but ratted you out.
And always for personal gain, and sometimes creating a lie to cover for their iniquities. The number one fink that ever was is Judas Iscariot, treasurer, disciple, and accuser of Jesus Christ. A man, who for 30 pieces of silver, sold out our Lord, an innocent man, and ended up hanging himself from a tree, the branch broke and his guts spilled out. A perfect ending for a man who spilled his guts about an innocent man.
Growing up my friend Ricky used to always say something like "what did your mom do when she found out you were doing..." in front of her, knowing full well she didn't know. But my mother was cool, and never said anything, not wishing to fall into the trap, or take me with her. And sadly today, 40 years later, the Rickys of the world still exist, causing trouble within clubs, families, and even trying to get between friends.
Proverbs tells us, paraphrased, that a story told sounds true until the other side of the tale is told. Good advice, in fact out judicial system is built on it. And lately, I for one am glad. For you see, not everyone who comes in the name of the Lord, is of God. Colors, church attendance, knowing officers in a club do not get you out of your lies. Soon, for some reason not soon enough, they get found out. But after they have done damage, and moved on to another group of people. The sad thing is we see them coming, but for some reason think we can change them, when it is only God who can change a heart, and all changes in actions start from there.
But sadder still are those who continue their gossip, for that is what it is, and continue the trail of hurt and destruction. Sadly, protected by well meaning, but wrong men, who rather keep peace, than expunge the one causing turmoil. Wise is the man who realizes that a little leaven-the Bible uses this term for sin-soon goes through the whole loaf. If only they had the integrity, guts, or even love to stop these people in their tracks before they spread their cancer, but often in the name of getting along with each other don't. Mistaking unity by thinking it is agreeing with each other, when in truth it is agreeing with God. Perpetuating lies, but never vindicating the innocent one who has been injured by the slander.
God uses these events to prove what our character is made of, and sometimes to move us out of bad situations. It is called love, and when tested, we need to respond in love. Realizing that the same Jesus that died for me, died for my aggressor. The same Jesus that could have rescued Judas, but he was too proud to ask. Don't you be-ask forgiveness now-it feels pretty good, and gives us an unjaundiced perspective than sin can't. And for those of you who persecute those walking with God, that same forgiveness is for you.
Bask in God's mercy and grace today.
Don Corleone, set an example for us to be wise as serpents, when he stated "it was Barzini all along." May we have his insight, but better yet the love of Christ. Someday He will judge the sinner, I choose forgiveness-I hope you do to. And to those who have wronged me, I hope God changes your heart, too. The phone rings both ways. God changes finks,too.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com