It is a very busy time of the year. The tension in the office was mounting as we were approaching numerous deadlines. I was trying to create a community invitation for the parade. Too many things were happening at the same moment. Then my computer froze. I would click and the monitor would not even blink at me. I shuffled the mouse, but the arrow stayed fixed on the screen. I seethed. I sat back and took a deep breath. I tried interacting with the beast and got the same result. I ground my teeth.
I got up and walked away. I told Connie that I was going to take a break and then get a hammer and fix my computer. She had one in her office and handed it to me. I laid it on the desk near my computer. My computer started to work. I decided to keep the hammer on my desk for awhile.
I thought of hammers, and force and power and coercion. What are you willing to do to get your way?
We got contacted by someone, not from our church, who was unhappy with our church, but never bothered to talk to any of us about the issue. Instead, they went for a metaphorical hammer. The lost art of reason, of talking, of gentleness seems to be lost in a world of anger, easy offense and outrage. There is no room for mistakes and no forgiveness, just judgment, harshness and categorical decisions.
One of the reasons Jesus came was to give us more options on how we responded to the world. He gives us “turn the other cheek,” he gives us “love your enemies,” and “lay down your life.” When Jesus is in charge he shapes a new world and reserves the hammer for his own hands-that is, he receives the blows intend for us. “By his wounds we are healed” it says in Isaiah.
The next time you are in “power up” mode, why not try the downward path of Jesus to servanthood, death to self and grace.