Justice
Is it ours to be expected? From what perspective do we decide we deserve it? Is it the goal in our suffering? How does it make us feel - vindicated or does it usher us to a place of peace when we think we’ve gotten it? Is that the goal? Is it a blessing? Is it God’s favor? How do we get it? How much is enough? Or WHY didn’t we get it?
It’s the outcome we all hope for when unfairness is a visitor on our life path. But justice is always partnered with injustice. They hold hands in our emotions. I don’t normally think about justice until I’ve experienced or witnessed injustice. And she has shown up OFTEN in my life. But was it really injustice or my over-reaction to a situation OR simply God’s protection?
This trail of thought brings me back to the root of my core belief - THE CROSS. When I get in the habit of looking at EVERYTHING with the cross as my lens, that’s the perspective that gets me through the emotional junk left in the wake of my injustice. It gets me through until justice arrives.
I don’t think as believers we are to soak and suffer our injustice heart-brokenly, but we need to look at it, examine it, put our lens - the cross - in front of it - grow from it. He doesn't inflict suffering - remember God’s plan was a perfect, beautiful world that He created for us to have everything we needed…. (think: Garden of Eden…) Injustice is a by-product of living in a broken world. Yes, this world is not our home. The more often I remember that, the better I can see through the pain of my injustice.
What happened to Jesus on that cross was INJUSTICE. He suffered injustice for the greater good, for us, to show His unfailing love for us, for the WORLD. Even BEFORE He knew us.
It’s one thing to sacrifice, to even suffer a little injustice for our kids, family members, maybe even friends …. but could you do it for someone you don’t know? He did.
Injustice cuts to the core, like a sword that drops heavy, hard and deep. It’s always a surprise attack, showing up suddenly, no way to safeguard against it, producing a scar that often refuses to heal. But, where God can bring healing, beauty out of ashes - Satan wants to dredge up that wound, pick that scab, use his evil scalpel to open our scar and remind us all over again what happened. He will haunt us with thoughts of how we deserved our injustice that smacked us in our faces and broke our hearts.
But don’t go down that road - look beyond. Trust the process, it may be refinement, it may be a distraction, cling to the hope that God has a plan, a hope for our future, not to destroy us but to prosper us.
As believers, this Earth is not our home, this is a dress rehearsal for eternity…. yes eternity is the end game. Keep your eye on the prize - the new Jerusalem is coming and we will reign not just live - read this carefully, we will REIGN in Heaven with the Creator of the Universe forever and forever. Just typing those words makes me pause - it certainly brings my lens of the cross into sharper focus.
My niece sent me these words recently: “When we think of majesty, think of God, the power He bestows and that He rules by justice!” Perfect! What a great reminder and thank you God that You reign and rule by justice! His justice is what we need not the world’s.
My feet are planted on this Earth, but my hope lies behind the Pearly Gates. One day my Redeemer will rescue me from the brokenness of this world. Yes injustice stings, but hang on, we have the hope of justice delivered. What a perfect vision and promise made.
As the waves of disappointment subside, my perspective is changing from what is owed to me in the form of justice to what has been done for me, on my behalf in the form of undeserved grace. This is where my healing begins. So, while I wait for my rescue, I will get back up, straighten my crown, start again, and remember that I am a daughter of THE King!
The following scriptures I’ve referenced in my post are from the New International Version translation of the Bible:
Genesis 1: 31 - God saw all that he had made and it was very good.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Romans 5: 3-4 - We also rejoice in our suffering because we know it produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 19:11 - I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.
2 Corinthians 5:7 - We live by faith, not by sight.
Habakkuk 2:3 - For the revelation awaits an appointed time, it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Philippians 3:14 - I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Rhonda