I dare say that no one wants to be persecuted. However, there are likely times when we feel that we have been persecuted. Times when we thought we did the ‘right’ thing but as a result we became a target for the anger and frustration of others. None of us like these times.
I think of some of my own ‘persecution’ experiences – those times when I felt that I had been misunderstood, misrepresented and had generally received the unwarranted wrath of others. However, I also recognize that these feelings all came from a particular vantage point – mine. Of course, it’s the correct one and if people truly understood my position they would obviously agree with my assessment of the situation– unless you happen to be part of those that are persecuting me because of my righteousness! And therein lies the problem – me, mine, my. I wonder if my personal feelings of persecution have had more to do with feeling offended because my opinion or perspective was not seen or accepted as being the right one.
It can be hard to separate. Additionally, there is the problem of ‘me’ being the root cause of my own persecution. We can bring reproach unto ourselves by our words or actions. Again, this is a tricky matter but we need to consider this as a possibility no matter how remote. It requires honest thought, prayer, and possibly the wise counsel of others. Not ‘others’ who will just tell me what I want to hear, but are courageous enough to tell me what I need to hear. We’re not blessed just because we’re persecuted – but only under a very specific calling of persecution because of following after Christ and His righteousness.
Anyway, I was just thinking,
Neil
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