But I am paying attention

I saw a bumper sticker today on the way to the grocery store. It said, “If you aren’t outraged, then you aren’t paying attention.” I’ve been thinking about that since, because, frankly, I am not outraged. I used to be outraged when I was younger. But outrage requires a lot of energy, and I am so happy with the Lord in my life, with my sweet dh, with my children and Zane, and with life in general, even when I have bad days (watching my Mom waste away), that I can’t muster up outrage.

But I am paying attention. I read the news every day, listen to others’ opinions about the news, and think about the biblical applications to such. The sin man perpetrates against man grieves my heart. But I still can’t muster up outrage.

I know I cannot change what others will do to me, or to someone else; I can only walk humbly with my God, and love the ones He puts in my path. I have no other control or power. The outrage, I have learned, accomplishes nothing, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.

My problem is contentment. I am content, even when everything is going wrong. Suffering works contentment in a body, if you keep your heart free from bitterness and allow the Lord to mold you. (Either that, or suffering works insanity and despair in a body, if that body is shaking his fist at God instead of laying his hurts at His feet with a yielded and humble heart.) The knowledge, the deep-down heart kind, not the head kind, that God is on His throne and justice will one day be served, either comes from suffering with contentment or is what makes contentment in the midst of suffering possible. I am not sure which is first, like the chicken and the egg. But no matter. God is, and He is love. I cannot be outraged.

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Great Post