The Bittersweet Paradox

Last night at Bible study we had a great discussion. Marni was talking about how she doesn't think it's Godly to be a doormat. I whole-heartedly agree. Whose life do we turn to when we need to see examples of how to act? Jesus, of course.

Interesting thing is, Jesus allowed himself to be taken advantage of. Maybe that's not the right way to put it. He took people whose intentions were to take advantage of him, and he used that not as an opportunity "not to be a doormat" and assert his rights, but he took the opportunity to love them and tell them what they needed to hear, whether that was a rebuke or what they needed was to hear that they were forgiven.

Because Jesus was constantly filling himself with God, he never became completely tapped out. Tired, yes. Frustrated, yes. Angry, definitely. But never these things out of sinful selfishness. He was these things only out of righteousness because God filled Him completely. When Jesus became angry in the temple, it wasn't because he was having an "off day" and needed to vent. It was because he was angry at the disregard shown to His Father's house. Maybe the reason Jesus let himself be "taken advantage of" (still not sure if that's the best way to put it), was because he didn't seek these same people to fill some sort of emotional need in him, because all of his were met, and so therefore he had limitless reserves of grace and peace and forgiveness to offer to them.

So, maybe the point is not so much to make sure your rights are respected. Maybe it's more about the needs of the other person and making sure along the way that you are being filled by God's Spirit constantly and completely.