The word spite is such a venomous word. It has such an abruptness and curtness, and the way it is pronounced it sounds to me like it is being spat out, and it also has a bite (because it rhymes with bite?) to it. It's a word that came to mind today as I was on my way to work. Spite.
Recently we had a "compliance" meeting at my place of employment. In this meeting we were told that the company is very open to hearing all of our complaints so they can correct the many problems besetting our workplace, cut waste, and get rid of the problem people. They promised it would be completely confidential, and told anecdotal stories of people that got justice and then some by calling the compliance hotline. What a temptation to tell this new company the things that have happened to me, and how I had failed to receive my deserved justice....and not only that, but that the person who did me such injustice has been placed over me as a "lead"....now's my chance to get back...Spite.
When I first thought of this opportunity, it seemed delicious. Ahhhh yes, I can finally get justice...but there was a little something that didn't feel quite right, so I put it to prayer and asked for God's input, because to me it didn't seem wrong to finally get the record set straight.
So as I'm driving to work, the word "spite" pops into my head. I mull over the word, and think of the people that have really wronged me, and that I have spiteful feelings toward. There are 3, and I named them, and I placed them before the Lord, and asked the Lord's help to release it truly...because I've tried, and then I see it come back once again with a vengeance.
Jesus suffered the greatest injustices ever experienced, and yet completely without malice He asked the Father to forgive them (and me)....and He says to me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
(for those who love works, there it is... all the works God requires of us is to forgive others as He has forgiven us,
that's the whole ball of wax)
I'll be praying for you to be able to let it go.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts:)
Thank you, Ma :)
DeleteHi Susan, Interesting post and very revealing of the modern corporate attitude of "divide and conquer" the work force into distrusting workmates to get more out of their "human resources". That's pretty diabolical. My first thought when I read about the employer actively encouraging employees to whistle-blow grievances put up a red flag especially the part about "get rid of the problem people". The whole concept of “compliance” puts everyone in an adversarial relationship to everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI was taught as a child that being a tattletale is just about the worst thing you could be known as and that "nobody likes one" especially the person you bring the tale to DE-SPITE its being useful to them. Your reputation in their eyes would be dishonored and they would not trust you because they'd suspect that you were settling scores for personal gain. Even if the information is taken from you anomalously it would be used as a threatening control over you and every other employee.
The way corporations are cutting jobs and lowering wages or effectively doing so by not giving cost of living adjustments even though they are raising their charges to increase or keep their level of profits is part of squeezing out the middle class. Threat of being fired is increasing and more is being expected for less real pay. It is very calculated. I wouldn't give them a hint of co-operation in culling the work force because next they'll be saddling the job of 2 upon the back of 1.
It's happening in all industries. People are being ruled by fear and suspicion and the corporations use every trick to get more for less. But it isn't all about the money; it is about povertizing our spirits and making us greedy and unfriendly toward our neighbors. After all those at the top already have all the money and things they need. We have to face it; the real goal is to root us out of our humanity. But God won't let them succeed past a certain point then He'll let them fall into the pits they dug for others. And He will make a way for us to escape the temptation to sin and take matters into our own hands
His perfect justice won't have the unintended consequences that our rash and impatient pay-back always brings. I think you are very wise to have it figured out, with the Matthew references and your conclusion,
"(For those who love works, there it is... all the works God requires of us is to forgive others as He has forgiven us, that's the whole ball of wax)"
"the real goal is to root us out of our humanity"
DeleteI'm not so sure that's the goal...that may be satan's goal, but I don't believe corporate people have that as their goal, they are pawns in satan's chess game.
I think the goal of corporations is power. They really do think they can change the world and they don't care how many lives get destroyed for their perceived "greater good", and although many of the things they do seem to have a goodness about it, it isn't...good, that is. Hitler also thought he had the "good of the world" as his goal... and that he would be the one to claim that great achievement....power, and eternal world recognition (in infamy) ... a cheap counterfeit of God's eternal life. These people are each trying to elevate themselves on the bodies of those whom they can step on to reach higher.
God's love puts an end to that cycle of abuse. ;)
We're saying the same thing, Susan, and that's what I mean by "root us out of our humanity", we were made in the image of God. It coarsens those who live for God-usurping-power and dog-eat-dog style existence. People become less than what God intended when they reject His Way. Yes, that is the goal of Satan and those who choose to be the children of the devil as Jesus told those who rejected Him in the Gospel of John so clearly.
ReplyDeleteOnly believers in Jesus escape the awful consequences of that rebellion against the two greatest commandments. Matthew 22:37-40.
we were made in the image of God
DeleteI've heard a couple of teachers say that once Adam fell, then humans were no longer made in the image of God, but in the image of man:
Gen 5:3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
But then a few pages over we read:
Gen 9:6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.
And this in James:
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
I don't know, I guess it's both. My problem is that many strict "calvinists" will say that humans are garbage and we're lucky God even deals with us at all. I know much of this is meant to make us humble, but I wonder if it isn't a bit too far. God DID make us and call all he made "very good"
Hi Ma, That is one of the reasons I will not wear LABELS and am not a strict or otherwise "Calvinist" I'm not Arminian either. I think it's absurd to imagine that God would send his only begotten son to reconcile "garbage" unto himself! The prodigal son was still a son, sin separates but it doesn't change original identity. If it did it would negate returning to our heavenly Father through the Son!
DeleteI want to irreverently here say, DUH! to those who embrace such ridiculousness as your teachers tried to foist off on you, Ma, it is amazing how convoluted they get to explain their dogma. Sorry for the mini-rant, Susan and Ma, but it gets my hair up sometimes!