Acceptance - Whats the big deal?

I wonder if we actually realise how obstructive we can be when it comes to our own insights as opposed to others who are as insightful but not quite the way we want. We are very quick to criticise and oppose what we consider to be something that is contrary to our ingrained beliefs. Just as Christ was rejected from his home town (Mk 6.1-6) so we reject those whose point of view or actual insight appears to challenge ours. We are always right, whether it is in a worldly sense or in a faith sense we are never averse to challenge rather than accepting what God has chosen. Acceptance is not rolling over and submitting it is acknowledging God and moving our lives to accord with God, seeing with God's eyes and behaving accordingly. We are often prone to jump on the smallest details that do not accord with our sight to obstruct what God asks what we do not want to hear.

Even David when he is crowned king of Israel (2 Sam. 5. 1-10) does not start out as the best but makes mistakes as he goes against God. It is something that the greatest amongst us does but then understands the mistakes and reconciles themselves with God to renew and regenerate God's people. Paul writing to the Corinthians freely admits his own weaknesses (2 Cor. 12.7-10). It is through the acknowledgement and acceptance of that weakness Paul is able to tell of his journey with God. This is where we need to find our strength and were we create our challenges. Paul states that it is through his weakness that he is strong. His strength is his acceptance of God's challenge to him in his weakness not his ability to boast of his own endeavours and strength. By acceptance Paul has demonstrated his strength not by his fighting that weakness. We see weakness as a disabling thing, our inabilities are looked for and used against us so that those who are looking for power and authority may find ways to undermine and overthrow. It is in weakness that we are able to show love.

It is only when we can accept ourselves that we can accept Christ

Strength looks for weakness to exploit, it gives us leverage to move us on in life and we are always looking for weakness so that we can exploit it to gain more power. This is not the Gospel way as the Gospel shows us the way of love not exploitation. Walking alongside Christ we can see his astonishment as he is rejected because it would be ours as well when we are also rejected from those we think love us. The home community, the originary place are places which are supposed to be loving and safe. We also reject and do not love as Christ did. Our commission is to be as Christ to the world bringing people into discipleship. Once we start thinking about things for ourselves we begin to loose our acceptance of Christ as part of our lives. Once we take on crusades which are not those of Christ we begin not to walk with Christ and accept him in our lives. We become like his own village people who scorn and reject knowing that Christ walks with us.

Christ never said it was easy even Paul recognises that sometimes it is really hard especially when you have someone close who is a detractor. A thorn in the side is sometimes a reminder to us that we need to be more accepting of Christ and his love for the other. We cannot just continue rejecting the fact that God and Christ enjoins us to love and live with all of humanity not just those we think we like. If we have truly accepted Christ we truly accept the rest of humanity. We do not have to like them, we have to love them and form community with them as Christ has formed community with us. Loving us for our failings and not for our good qualities only. Let us get over ourselves and begin to accept that Christ is with us and that means all of humanity not just the ones we think we like..