A Dreadful Thing!

“For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” 
Hebrews 10:30-31 NIV

Whoa.  That was my verse for today.  And it sent shivers down my spine.  I usually think of being in the hands of the living God as a good thing, full of security and love and protection.  But, now I'm suddenly a little scared of being in those hands.

I suppose it's a little tiny bit like my children are in my hands.  They're loving, gentle hands that put band-aids on owies, give hugs, and hold them when they're scared or tired.  But, sometimes... they're hands that deliver a swat on the bottom when they're not listening or when they've been hurtful or sassy.  We discipline our children because we love them and want them to be the best kids they can be, right?  Maybe that's why God corrects us as His children... Maybe that's part of it, at least.

This verse has me thinking about how I feel when I'm the one who has been wronged, too.  Take, for example, the situation with our truck and Customs.  It was completely wrong and crooked!  It made me feel so hurt and angry.  Then, the latest situation we've been dealing with is our Internet service.  We told the guys who came to set it up and install an antenna that we wouldn't pay until it was all hooked up and working... So, it worked....for FIVE DAYS!!  Then, guess what happened the day we paid up?  Yup.  No Internet.  Hmmm.... They can't seem to figure out what's wrong, huh??

Seriously.  I've been cheated.  I know it's a joke to think we can get our money back.  I really have no idea how I would do it, but some form of revenge would feel SO good.

Or would it?

As I contemplate this verse today, I'm thinking these villains are better left to God's judgment.  It's His job to avenge.

It's MY job to let go of my frustration and anger and forgive.  It's MY job to not let these two issues darken my attitude toward all the other Haitian people I encounter.  It's MY job to set my heart and mind on all the ways I'm blessed every day.

I'm working on it.