There was an unwritten rule. Don’t mess with them. Even the big guys knew better—and the last thing this skinny guy wanted was to be humiliated by a group of schoolgirls-- so I stayed clear.
Do you remember Charlie Brown and his ol’ friend Pig Pen? You could see Pig Pen coming from a distance. He was always portrayed as having an expanding cloud of dust around him. Same with this group. You could see them coming from afar, and their presence was palpable. You just acquiesced to your right to the tether ball if they came in your direction.
They were mean. They liked the rep.
Now, scroll forward to 2025.
I avoid getting into discussions regarding specific topics. It’s just not worth it. I think perhaps we’re all learning to keep our mouths closed unless necessary.
But there’s one thing that I hope we will all go to the mat for, even though there seems to be a strong current right now in the opposite direction. I really don’t get it—but sometimes GOOD people seem to have drunk the Kool Aid that says love takes a back seat to straight-talk. Love and justice keep taking it on the chin these days. Never seen anything like it…and will not be convinced that Jesus is diggin’ it. In fact, we can be pretty confident that it breaks His ever-lovin' heart.
I wish we could all get on the same page on this one, but if we can’t, then I hope at least you and I will do our part—regardless of the podcast, blog, post, or school of thought that says otherwise.
I don’t get a pass on meanness—even if I am convinced that I’m truth-tellin’.
Not going to get all preachy, but I do have a suggestion. I know that many who faithfully read The Pilgrimage are not convinced that Jesus is the guy he claims to be. No worries, I’m glad you are searching. However, for those of us who have crossed the Jesus Rubicon and believe that Jesus is an exact representation of God, I plead with you to be highly conscious of all the verses discussing love, justice, and kindness--- as well as the New Testament moments when Jesus or Paul pounce on sinners.
Seriously, note the passages on both sides of the spectrum over the next 12 months.
We just might have an ah-ha moment. Or two.
God isn’t just made of bits of light. He IS LIGHT. He is not just a shard of love—He IS LOVE. Just let it marinate before you shoot me an email. And, yes, thankfully, He is TRUTH, too. Gratefully, one does not have to trump the other.
Go. Be. His. Light. The world is craving this kind of godly influence.
Celebrate Christmas--and when you do, remember a large portion of the reason He came was to role model this stuff to us. You will have a room full of guests very soon, let’s be sure they see this Jesus in you and me.
For extra credit, check out 1 John 4:8.
To respond to any Pilgrimage devotional, you can email me directly at [email protected]
