“No Offense Dad”
As a father of a 9 year old, it amazes me how quickly they have matured from the days of when they just think about what is for their benefit to now being sensitive of hurting me or my wife’s feelings. My son has been using this phrase in times of correction or for attention and clarification. He utters this to avoid hurting our feelings. Subsequently, I ask myself am I that sensitive? Perhaps it’s just a precaution in his part, which I find a step further to emotional maturity.
In reflection of our Christian walk, the words offense, offended, offending often come about in our dealings with our Christian and non-Christian peers. As a stick to a heart, especially those harboring sensitivity, offense through words or actions could cause tension, especially in God’s work. Haughty or proud eyes, a lying tongue, murmurs behind other people’s back, clearly are things we may deal with. Sadly, at times, we may see this among our brothers and sisters. Even apostle Paul experienced this in the early church, having written that he too had disputes and faced many trials in the Lord’s work. Ecclesiastes 1:9 say, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” It is nothing new, but having been present in the work of the Apostle Paul amidst the offense, he wrote:
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (Corinthians 6:3-10)
Clearly, Paul is only one of the many examples who never took offense and just folded in rant. If Joseph took offense in prison after being a morally righteous man, what would have happened? If Esther took offense to the plot and just ran out of town what would have happened? If Nehemiah took offense to the discouragement he heard with rebuilding the temple and attack while doing the work, what would have resulted?
We come to the point wherein we ask ourselves if we hear these voices behind us, terms of rejection, disapproval of men. I believe, sometimes, we would rather live with men’s disapproval than God’s, out of some inherent mechanism to please. But do not be hindered; a lot of people were hindered, but by God’s grace, they still carried on. Look back at your past victories and realize how far God has taken you. Surely, now is not the time for us to abandon the work after all he has done.
Clearly, my brothers and sisters, do not let the sleepers dictate how we should praise and work for God’s service. Like in 2 Kings 3, just focus on God and take no offense to what we hear or what we see amidst the dirt and barren land. Let’s continue to praise Him, for the spring will come forth in God’s time, and then this valley, which has been a barren desert, will be full of ditches to refresh and renew. Keep playing that harp of praise, and dig for God’s work and glory.
-Cliff Carino
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