Cast Love not Stones - Do Something
“Whoever among you is guiltless[m] may be the first to throw a stone”. – John 8:7
If you read yesterday’s post, you see that it’s been a rough couple of weeks for myself, and my communities. That there’s been a great deal of division, bitterness, resentment and judgement; a lot of casting of stones. Both in my own life, and in the lives of people within these communities. Not me casting stones; I’ve no right to do so, as I am not faultless and don’t pretend to be. I know I am human, and as such, am not without fault. No human being is. In fact, those who have cast stones, are no worse or better than I, nor I, them. Even though, I have tried to remain neutral and loving and have done everything humanly possible to bridge the divides within these communities, I am still not without fault. Not without thoughts about who is right or wrong, or where I should rest my loyalties upon.
Even with, knowing, that there are always three sides to every story; his, hers and the truth, as is often said. Even knowing that I don’t really need to pick a side, as we are all part of one big community; we are all connected and we are all supposed to be there for one another, support one another, help one another and serve one another. But it’s hard to stay neutral when you’re seeing so much anger, bitterness, resentment, contempt and hurt. It’s hard not to pick a side, when it seems some are adamant that you do. But I’ve not faltered; because I know I, myself am not without fault.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.[a] 2 For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.[b] 3 Why[c] do you see the speck[d] in your brother’s eye, but fail to see[e] the beam of wood[f] in your own? - Matthew 7:13.
Loosely translated as, only those who are without fault, have the right to pass judgement on someone else. And, since no human being is faultless, no one has the right to pass judgement. And, often those who stand in judgement of others, do so without taking a look at themselves, first. The old, "people who live in glass houses", concept. I myself, have made mistakes; held onto negative emotions, dwelled on negative things and responded negatively in some situations, in the past. I myself, have also caused others hurt in the past. I myself, have done things that would be considered un-loving, and un-Godly. Knowing this; knowing myself, I know that I cannot cast even one stone in any of their directions. Knowing and understanding my own imperfection, I know that I am in no position to cast stones of judgement on any other human being. And yet, I’ve been surrounded by those throwing stones and passing judgement; upon one another, and even upon me.
One, even went so far as to use scripture to call me out about being divorced; telling me that I’m not a good Christian, and am tempting God because of I’m divorced. I could have responded vengefully, or with anger and contempt; in the past, I might have, but I did not. Instead, I responded through love, and with compassion. In this event, I educated her, instead of judging her or being bitter with her; without being self-righteous back. To show her that, regardless of her self-righteousness, or what she feels about my life experiences; my burdens, that we are all human and none without fault. That we have no right to stand in judgement of one another. That we cannot even lift a stone, let alone cast one on another, because not one of us is perfect. That divine love doesn’t abide these things; bitterness, contempt, hatred, or judgement. Divine love is pure; it is patient and kind. Not prideful, boastful, envious or easily angered. Divinely pure love, doesn't dwell on the negative or keep count of others' wrong-doings. This is why we must do all things through love; and not through hate and darkness.
If we act as though we are divinely inspired, but speak and act with something other than love, we are just making noise for the sake of making noise; speaking for the sake of hearing our own voice. We are making our opinion known because we want to be heard; versus trying to help in the healing process. If we do things through love, we help to heal, and to drive out darkness; we do away with bitterness, contempt, anger, and self-righteousness. If we do all things through love, we lift the burdens that these things have caused in our hearts and lives. If we speak with the tongues of pure love, and our actions speak the same, we heal hearts and bridge divides. When we put childish things behind us; like judgement, and self-righteousness, we can only speak and act through love.
This woman; who, even though I am certain, is human acted as though she was speaking for the divine, and took it upon herself to rebuke me. This woman, even though she is not herself, divine; henceforth, not without fault, cast a stone in my direction. Thinking she was casting this stone on behalf of the God; and yet, did not do so through love. This woman cast a stone on her own behalf; out of self-righteousness. In doing so, she was not walking in righteousness; she was showing that she was just as human as I am, myself; and therefore, not without fault, herself. Hence, not within her rights to even pick up that stone, let alone, cast it in my direction. This is what is wrong with the world.
Hatred. Ignorance. Judgement. People, believing that they have a right to stand in judgement of others; judging our humanness while, not realizing they are also human. They are cut from the same cloth as those they are judging; they are not without fault, just as we are not. Their refusal to see that whatever; character trait, life decisions, experiences or other things that make us human, that they are judging or rebuking us for, are no greater a sin or fault than their own. This is why communities erode and divide. This is what perpetuates the chaos and creates further strife; bitterness, hatred, contempt and false love in the world. Imperfect human beings, harming others through; Judging, shaming, and casting stones.
Instead of casting those stones, maybe we should pick them up and start stacking them; to build a better foundation. A foundation built in the way that it was intended to be divinely built, in the first place; a foundation of connectedness. A foundation built by the broken, cracked vessels that the divine uses to spread love. A foundation built by the hands of these human beings; full of fault but with a heart full of light and love. A foundation built on and through; mercy, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, faith, hope and love. The most important of all being, love.