If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat;
and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:20
In chapter 12 Paul gives a long list of ways to live your faith – with enthusiasm. We are encouraged to embrace our gifting, embrace a loving attitude, and embrace kindness towards our enemies. A sermon could be preached about each phrase! Paul ends by quoting Proverbs 25. We had to memorize these two verses in confirmation. Can you hear Jesus and probably Paul admonishing us that if we are kind to our friends, we only do what everyone does? When we’re kind knowing we can profit from the kindness that is not surprising. It is when we do the unexpected to the enemy, return good in the face of evil, that people take notice. Their curiosity is aroused. Many burdens are hard to carry alone. Grief over death is a burden. Disappointment and betrayal are burdens. But I suspect bitterness and unforgiveness eat away at our souls. Kindness to enemies is not only unexpected, it is embarrassing. God rewards us. That is worth considering.
Ask the Holy Spirit to shine his flashlight on your soul and see if there are any old grievances that you do not need to carry any more. Leave them in God’s hands. I’m sure he can deal out justice better than we can. Blessings as you clean house today.
On the Way to Wonder 