Thunk!
First Published October 15, 2010
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
I was feelin’ good! I was on my seventh flying lesson and nearing the end of my preflight check. My instructor, “Junior” had stepped back to let me do everything myself. Yes! I had everything under control! During the check I stepped backwards away from the cockpit door and thunk! I nicely hit the back of my head on an extended flap. (This is a portion of the wing closest to the plane body, which is lowered for take offs and landings). “Are you alright?” Junior asked. “Ah, yeah,” I replied. I truly did not injure anything but my pride. He and I both knew that I simply didn’t look up. I turned back and sneered at the flap ready to vow vengeance.
Yes, I know that this inanimate wing flap was not capable of actually committing evil, but my point is that I wanted to repay it back with something bad. My little episode revealed that I easily harbored resentment and the desire to even up the score. (And I looked mighty silly sneering at the flap!) So, what did I need to do to avoid my hothead reaction?
Today’s verse comes from a whole bunch of issues Peter addresses aimed at giving Christians a practical manner of living in Christ. From a logical (and experience) point of view, if you live by the “eye for an eye” rule, and repay action in kind, you open yourself up to be treated in the same manner. And the verse teaches us that by repaying with blessing, you are inviting a blessing.
I needed to change my attitude and put that change into action. I needed the flap in good condition to safely take off and return back to earth in one piece. The plane would then serve me well if I took good care of it while it was in my charge. So, I made a point to do my preflight checks slowly, as to not miss details. I was no longer side tracked by the thought of my dented pride.
Thus, dealing with my inanimate wing flap helped me see a bigger challenge. Join me today as I continue to strive to break this cycle. I pray that we will all try to turn hurts and evils done to us around by seeing how we can make the situation glorifying to God. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Karen Vaughn
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
I was feelin’ good! I was on my seventh flying lesson and nearing the end of my preflight check. My instructor, “Junior” had stepped back to let me do everything myself. Yes! I had everything under control! During the check I stepped backwards away from the cockpit door and thunk! I nicely hit the back of my head on an extended flap. (This is a portion of the wing closest to the plane body, which is lowered for take offs and landings). “Are you alright?” Junior asked. “Ah, yeah,” I replied. I truly did not injure anything but my pride. He and I both knew that I simply didn’t look up. I turned back and sneered at the flap ready to vow vengeance.
Yes, I know that this inanimate wing flap was not capable of actually committing evil, but my point is that I wanted to repay it back with something bad. My little episode revealed that I easily harbored resentment and the desire to even up the score. (And I looked mighty silly sneering at the flap!) So, what did I need to do to avoid my hothead reaction?
Today’s verse comes from a whole bunch of issues Peter addresses aimed at giving Christians a practical manner of living in Christ. From a logical (and experience) point of view, if you live by the “eye for an eye” rule, and repay action in kind, you open yourself up to be treated in the same manner. And the verse teaches us that by repaying with blessing, you are inviting a blessing.
I needed to change my attitude and put that change into action. I needed the flap in good condition to safely take off and return back to earth in one piece. The plane would then serve me well if I took good care of it while it was in my charge. So, I made a point to do my preflight checks slowly, as to not miss details. I was no longer side tracked by the thought of my dented pride.
Thus, dealing with my inanimate wing flap helped me see a bigger challenge. Join me today as I continue to strive to break this cycle. I pray that we will all try to turn hurts and evils done to us around by seeing how we can make the situation glorifying to God. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Karen Vaughn
posted by Karen Vaughn | 8:43 AM
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