Like a duck

"You know, Jan, she would be very upset to think she’d hurt your feelings." Dick’s statement to me as I vented my frustration led to my decision to develop the "be a duck and let it roll off your back" philosophy. This view of life has helped me navigate the waters of inconsiderate and even rude comments. I have learned to consider the intent of the offender. When I’m honest with the situation, rarely has there been malcontent as the source of the comment. Rather just a situation where someone didn’t think before speaking or just didn’t know what to say. So most often, I just let the comments "roll" off of me. I realize I have the choice in how it will affect me. I can choose forgiveness or I can choose to be angry and bitter.

Most often, I have chosen to take refuge in the unconditional love and forgiveness of God. I’m afraid to list the times I have been inconsiderate and rude with my comments. God has forgiven me and most of those I have inadvertently offended have forgiven me. So I must make the choice to give others the same as has been given to me.

Deuteronomy 19:1-13 instructs the Israelites to designate cities of refuge. These cities were the destination of anyone who unintentionally kills a neighbor without malice or premeditation. The guilty party was safe while in a city of refuge from any vengenance by the deceased’s relatives. The shelter of the city of refuge was only available to those who were innocent of malice and premediation. The cities of refuge were for their protection but it was also for the protection of the victim’s family. Can you imagine how the world would have spiraled out of control if families were allowed to seek vengenance for each and every accidental death?

These verses indicate that this directive to prevent the guilt of shedding of innocent blood would benefit the Israelites in their lives in the new land. Previously they had been slaves and servants not in decision making control of their lives. In the new land, the Promised Land, they would be landlords and rulers of other people. They would become a people of influence and power.

The cities of refuge gave the Israelites the opportunity to make choices to live in a better world and not institute the principles of the life they had known in Egypt. God showed them how to create a "new world" that teaches mercy and forgiveness rather than anger and bitterness. God warns the Israelites, and me, that a world of vengenance and retaliation is not what God intends for the Promised Land. It will not go well in life without mercy and forgiveness as guiding principles.

In today’s world, too many of the unfortunate and evil circumstances stem from anger and bitterness. Too many people live as victims in this world and harbor bitterness, anger and hate which only leads to more bitterness, anger, hate and death.

Bitterness comes from refusing to seek protection in God’s cities of refuge that I have named

Unconditional Love,

Mercy,

Forgiveness,

Omnipotence, and

Grace.

I’m choosing to dwell, as much as possible, in these "cities" of refuge as I navigate life in this chaotic world. It will go well for me when I seek deliverance from the evils of this world in God’s "cities of refuge."