I was thinking of the blame game!
It is as old as Adam and Eve themselves. We might even say it is part of human nature.
Why did you do it Adam? Oh, it was that woman's fault – the woman You gave me – she made me do it.
Eve, why did you do it? It was the serpent – he said you were lying to me.
Dawn, who left the door open? I don't know, it wasn't me (it must have been someone else).
Man, where is your wife? Oh, I kicked her out. She was cheating on me – after everything I did for her. She couldn't have wanted a better husband! But she's done it now. It's over!
My boy is struggling at school – the schools have failed him. They don't help him or understand him. They are always complaining to me, cos they don't now how to control the children!
The politicians? Shower of bandits!
We hear it all the time, in every area of life.
We blame partners, parents, children, schools, governments, even GOD.
I hear it coming from my own lips.
The problem is always... Them!
Of course that lets me off the hook, as I can do nothing about them.
If I blame you, I can be the victim, and not take any responsibility for my own actions.
If it is your fault, I can even justify my own bad behaviour by a) shifting the focus onto your bad behaviour, and b) excuse my behaviour by the stress you cause me. (If you had to put up with this, you would behave the same)
Do we ever hear, or say – My wife? I realise now that I've driven her away. I didn't ever pay her any attention except to criticise her. I burdened her with chores and problems and I only ever complained. I am self-centred and have never thought about her needs. I can't believe she put up with me all these years.
Have you heard anyone say that?
Me neither.
No, we judge others and blame them. We see the speck in their eyes, despite the plank in our own!
(Some people do some very bad things. I am not saying that this is okay. Please don't think I am saying that it is your fault, or that we should take the blame for everything ourselves. If you have been wounded, I am not saying that it was your fault, nor that you ever deserved bad treatment from anybody. I am saying that we are told not to judge anyone in bitterness – even ourselves! When we judge in bitterness, we are inviting bitter consequences into our lives.)
One of the best lessons I am learning recently is the power of repentance – of seeing where I have judged them and repenting of my judgments; of forgiving them and blessing them.
image of 2 cartoon pets, both looking guilty and pointing the finger at the other.
Lord, let me see others as You see them.
Tonight we remember Jesus washing His disciples feet. Showing complete humility as an example of how we are to serve. Whose feet will I wash?
We remember Him breaking the bread and sharing the cup – as His body would soon be broken and His precious blood poured out for us – to forgive us our sins and bring us into relationship with Father GOD. What am I willing to sacrifice quietly?
We remember Him in the Garden of Gethsemane – in another garden where He reverses Adam's curse, by choosing God's way, rather than His own will. Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done. How often do I insist on it being done my way?
As they crucified Him, He didn't defend His innocence and blame the centurions, He cried, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'
Jesus went to the cross that my relationship with GOD could be restored. But He didn't blame me for His agony.
He sacrificed His life to give me life, but He doesn't guilt trip me when I mess up.
Jesus doesn't tell me it was all my fault and make me pay.
No, He paid for me.
Let me own my own sin and blaming and excuses, and lay it all at the cross – let me exchange it for the abundant life of freedom and truth that His sacrifice and His resurrection have empowered.
Jesus is alive. Hallelujah.
Happy Easter to all of my wonderful blogging friends and readers.
I really appreciate you all for reading and commenting and for sharing your own writing with us too.
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is BLAME.
I do read through my script afterwards to correct my mistakes; to check scripture references and to find an appropriate image to illustrate the topic.
To read other FMF posts on this subject click HERE.
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