Fair?

Ahh, I have returned.  School has started a new group of eager learners enter my room...big hugs, smiles, stories of summer plans.  Sounds like little children, well, in some ways they are just that.  My teenage students run in with smiles and silliness wanting to tell me everything that's happened in their lives.  Some of which is head tilting to listen to and some with deep sorrow, I can barely stand to hear.  All of them looking for "hope" in that life will get better, be better and they want it now.  Plus they want it FAIR.

After church yesterday my family sat in the living room talking about fairness.  Was God or is God fair?  Elijah tilted his head and pondered.  Grace said God is just.  Yes I agree.  But fair?  Fairness isn't equal to justice nor is equal to equal.  I have stressed in my parenting life that  each of us needs different things.  We have "special" needs as Elijah understands it to be; therefore we receive what we need.  It may look different at times; because we are unique.  It's filled with mercy and love.  But to the world, it may not appear fair.  If we all received a fair wage for our lives lived, well then, we've earned death.  Separation from God.  Romans is pretty clear about that.  But God came by choice, from the judges seat to take our place.  To show great love and mercy ~ Not to be fair.

We live in such an "entitled, deserved" based society.  We leave little room for mercy and grace except when we give or serve at "high holy" times of the year.  You know feeling sorry for the orphans, needy, homeless and widows...supplying their food or sending a basket or even buying new clothes.  We may even give at a corporate level of our funds to support a mission or time of disaster.  Please be patient with me...I know these times/support are necessary and usually given with the purest of motives.

My question is deeper.  The place where we must search our internal lives, the parts of us that God only knows.  The spot where we wrestle our flesh; the place where we struggle not being selfish and self-centered.  Would we give our seat as the judge and take the spot of the convicted?  I have to say that would be so hard.  For my children, yes.   For others, I don't know.

God did just that.  His heart was changed by  Abraham as he begged God to wait and let him search for 10 faithful.  We struggle with "life not being fair."  My resolution is God isn't fair.  He's completely just, clothed with daily mercies and grace beyond measure. He live in us; therefore we are NEW creatures.  

We live in a world all about getting ahead, not one of surrender.  A world of making sure those get what they deserve.  A world of sacrificial giving that doesn't make much impact to our routine or even touch the bulk of our funds.  We slide by patting ourselves on the back when we've given from the interest...and celebrate how much we still have.

As I write this, my heart sinks.  That just doesn't sound like Jesus.  It sounds more like a costume party where we "toast"  to our good deeds and acheivements, looking a bit like Christ.  Is that fair?  I don't think so.  Not fair to the one who gave of himself completely, took on a servant's role and said yes to crimes he didn't commit.  Yet we go on with our comfort and blind eyes barely being touched by the hopeless, mostly critical of what they "should or shouldn't" do...

Holy Spirit breathe on us.  You know these parts of our lives.  Give us courage to do what most see as impossible for you live within us; the one with cattle on a hillside.  The one who turns water into wine, serves thousands with bread and fish.  Aren't you able to replenish our giving?  Aren't you able to bless us beyond what we could think or imagine?  THEN let us show it.  Neither depth or height can separate us from God's love...giving too much, allowing our savings to be divided and spent in places we didn't plan or budget.  The kingdom is present not just "to come."  Draw near to one who frees, pardons, gives life to all His children whom He cherishes.