Hubby and I are currently watching through a YouTube documentary series entitled: XOverland: Africa. There are 10 episodes … we have made it through 3 so far.
(Check it out: Season 6: Africa Archives » Expedition Overland)
Thus far we have watched the team journey this way and that way all across the country of Botswana. It has been fascinating! In thinking about today’s blog topic – Love is not easily angered – the first thing which came to mind was: “Love is not rattled.”
Journeying across the rutted, washboard dirt roads of Botswana definitely rattled the vehicles!
The vehicles which the team used were impressive off-road vehicles, chosen with intentionality, and outfitted specifically for these types of conditions.
However … the rattling from the rutted roads, over endless kilometers, took a toll on the vehicles! Bit by bit, the screws and bolts of the vehicles worked loose, everywhere.
The team members had to pay attention to the specific sound of the rattling as they bumped and bounced along over the rutted, boulder-strewn dirt tracks.
“Hmmm … that rattling doesn’t sound quite right. I think we should stop and check things out.”
The rest of the team was alerted; the convoy came to a halt. Team members climbed atop the vehicle in question. Sure enough, all the screws and bolts holding the top-rack onto the vehicle were completely loose! If the team had not stopped to check things out, the top-rack (containing thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment and supplies!) would have fallen off and been irreparably damaged!
Throughout the journey across Botswana the team would stop intentionally … to check all the screws and bolts on all the vehicles. At one point, all the screws and bolts holding the back doors onto the vehicles were completely loose.
Vital mechanical components underneath the carriages of the vehicles had screws and bolts working loose.
When I think of Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 13 – Love is not easily angered – I can’t help but think how life itself is like driving down that rutted, washboard, potholed, boulder-strewn dirt track through Botswana.
Each day of our “journey” of life feels like we are being rattled!
Just like each of the vehicles were specifically equipped to be able to handle the harsh conditions … so also, when it comes to life itself, if we are a follower of Jesus Christ we have been specially equipped to handle the harsh conditions of being rattled in our own life’s journey. We’ve been equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit!
Life’s journey is hard!
People steal from us things which we have worked very hard to create.
People lie to us … constantly and continually.
People lie about us.
People take advantage of us to benefit themselves.
People are unbelievably rude to us!
We are rattled! We are rattled deep down in our soul! It’s like the vehicles in the YouTube series being rattled!
All that rattling is working the “screws” and “bolts” of our life loose.
We have to be paying attention! We have to be paying attention to the specific sound of the “rattling” in our soul.
We have to notice that the “rattling” sound is getting worse. We have to stop. We have to do an inspection of our soul.
Love is not easily angered.
How do we not be easily angered when we are constantly and continually being rattled?!?
How exactly do we do this??
Answer: Continually keep stopping to check the “screws” and “bolts” in our life.
What, exactly, are the “screws” and “bolts” which are holding our life together?? What should we be checking??
* First and foremost – Love. How is our love doing towards other people? Is our love being rattled to the point that hate is simmering in our soul? Is deep-down resentment taking the place of love?
* Joy. How is our joy doing? Are we still able to have joy even through the rattling? Or is our joy being eroded away? Is anger stealing away our joy?
* Peace. How is our peace doing? Are we still able to have peace even through the rattling? Or is our peace being replaced by frustration, anger, and anxiety!
* Patience. How is our patience doing? Maybe we need to tighten down the “screws” and “bolts” on our patience.
* Kindness. How is our kindness doing? Are we still able to remain kind … even in the face of being lied about … and even when we are treated with disrespect and rudeness?
* Goodness. Anger rattles us to respond in fiery retribution! How are the “screws” and “bolts” of goodness doing in our life? Is our character solid and firm?
* Faithfulness. Anger rattles us to the point that, just like the top-rack of the vehicle almost fell off, so also important aspects of our character are about to fall off and crash to the ground … being irreparably damaged. Check the “screws” and “bolts” of faithfulness. Faithfulness to God … and to integrity of character.
* Gentleness. When anger rattles us, things get noisy … just like the top-rack on the vehicle rattling loose resulted in the rattling noise inside the vehicle becoming worse and worse! In our own life, the noisier the rattling (either coming out our mouth, or swirling on repeat in our head) … the greater indication that things are getting worse and worse. How are the “screws” and “bolts” of gentleness doing?
* Self-control. When the “screws” and “bolts” in our life work loose, our life winds up falling apart. Anger is our undoing. It takes watchful awareness!
This path of life is the path we must travel on … its rutted, it’s a washboard-y, full of potholes, and boulder-strewn. This is our path. It will rattle us.
Love is not easily angered.
Love is alert …
Love is watchful … continually checking to make sure the “screws” and “bolts” in our life are tightened down securely.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9
