"Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth." (1 Cor. 13:6 NIV)
I admit, I have
a problem with selfishness. Especially as a child, but I'm ashamed to
say that this all-too-human tendency continues to plague me in adulthood
as well. I remember one time, towards the end of a school year, it was
announced that four teachers would lose their jobs. These were all four
young teachers, and they were good teachers. Why was it that my first
thought was to rejoice that I hadn't been among the ones who would be
cut? Why did I feel "lucky" that I would be able to teach another year?
Why didn't I at least feel some pity towards those teachers who would
lose their jobs?
I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even start
to feel bad for those poor teachers until later in the evening. Then my
happy mood changed drastically, and I repented before God of my
less-than-Christ-like attitude.
The next day, I visited those
teachers. I talked with them and I tried to encourage them. Other
colleagues did the same, and it seemed to help those poor teachers to
know that they had support amongst their colleagues. Still, why was it
that my first reaction was one of joy? Why hadn't I gone to my
colleagues immediately? They all had children at home. They all needed
their jobs as much as I did. And besides, I considered them friends!
They had needed my support the day before when the announcement was
made!
I now realize the truth of 1 Cor. 13:6: "Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." Sending away those poor
young teachers was "evil". I would have been far better off rejoicing in
truth.
How do you help your friends when bad news strikes? Do
you, like I did, rejoice that it wasn't you? Or do you give them the
love and support they desperately need? Think about it!
Rob Chaffart
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