"On One 'Little' Difference"

Forget setting aside a time for meditation, a time of peace and quiet for inner soul searching and pensive thought.  Just place me behind a lawn mower, cutting swaths of grass.  There is something about that rhythm, the back and forth motion.  Walking, walking, walking.  That is when and where I find my quiet place.

The coverage of another attack on innocents, this time in Copenhagen, Denmark had just been posted, and I had read about it.  These are happening so frequently that only the details of reporting are changed out—location, number of casualties, number of attackers. The "justification" of this one was anger directed toward one who had drawn caricatures of a religious prophet who lived several centuries ago and the purported requirement for vengeance. 

vengeance:  revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong  Syn.:  reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong  

It is estimated there are at least 4200 different religions in the world, a dozen of them classed as major religions.  Many of them are in direct contradiction to one another.  One of the things I have learned is that, as I want to be allowed to have my own beliefs and be given personal respect for those, I need to allow that for others as well and give that same respect.  While I might not agree with them, the individual worth of those who believe is no less than mine, and they have a right--yes, a right to believe and to live according to their personal dictates.  In fact, that is what my Father demands and expects--if you believe in it, stand in it, whatever that belief might be.  At the same time, be fully prepared to pay the consequences for rejection of light and truth, where and when that is applicable.   

And this is where my mind went as I mowed--back and forth, back and forth:  When the One whom I follow is ridiculed, made light of, or even despised and discounted, I bristle.  It is not taken personally so I cannot say I am offended, but it does bother me.  However, I do feel each and every person must answer for their own actions, their own lives, and in that sense it has nothing to do with me.  Would I stand in my own faith and defend that within myself?  Most certainly, but taking up arms on behalf of my Father is not my response to criticism directed at Him and is not something He asks of me.

And thus I ended up here: There are many differences between my faith and the faith of those intent on reprisal for perceived wrongs.  Moreover, there is one obvious difference between the two of us.  These feel they must defend the one they follow, that they must personally wage war and fight battles on his behalf;  I, on the other hand, take my Father at His word: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” 

It is not for me to deem those people or those situations which require recompense.   Were I to do that I would be taking matters into my own hands, putting myself in the position of being both judge and jury, a state God does not look upon kindly.    He is quite capable of taking care of Himself.  I do not have to, nor can I, fight His battles for Him.  

Let me see--Which is the better method of retribution, the one with only physical weapons at hand, the other with all the resources of the Creator?  Which is more effective?  To me, the answer is obvious.

Not a "little" difference at all, but a major one.

"Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine.  I will repay,' says the Lord."