Love starts fresh each day
April 16, 2009 (Thursday)
”Games People Play,” by Eric Berne, published in 1964 has in recent years been updated and republished. Its subtitle is “The Psychology of Human Relationships.”
I don’t recall whether he has a chapter on the game, “After All I’ve Done for You,” but it is most certainly a game we play all the time.
We, perhaps unconsciously, or maybe on purpose, keep very good records in our head of what we have done for others. When “push comes to shove,” we haul out the record book, and usually begin with the words, “After all I’ve done for you…” If the spat goes on, the next step is to start naming specific acts for which the speaker feels he deserves credit.
It occurs to me that Jesus could have spent the evening before his arrest, trials and crucifixion, talking with His Disciples about how he had been mistreated and misunderstood by the very people He came to save. Instead, he dressed like a common household slave and washed the feet of each one of them. Then He explained to them that becoming a servant was God’s will for each of His followers. In a few hours he was arrested, and his friend, Peter, defended Him with his sword, cutting off a soldier’s ear. Jesus healed the man and reminded Peter that those who follow Him must walk in His steps with Love, not Hate. He never reviled those who tortured Him before He was nailed to a cross. As they drove the nails, He prayed they would be forgiven.
Humanly speaking, if that’s all we knew about Jesus and His followers, we would guess He failed. But today, churches exist all over Houston and people gather regularly in His Name for worship. Millions around the world love Him and seek to live for Him. His way may seem like the losing way, but it’s the winning way.
Love not only keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor 13), but keeps no record of kindnesses either. Love starts fresh each day.