I simply don't understand Christians sometimes. I realize that is very bold of me to say especially as a Pastor's wife, but it's true. Sometimes we're quicker to shoot our wounded rather than show grace as Christ showed us so that they can move toward Christ's healing of their wounds.
I had already begun a draft of this post and then I read Rick Warren's devotional for today which had to do with the same topic somewhat. Please click on that hyperlink (scroll over 'Rick Warren's devotional' - hyperlink doesn't like my background apparently)...it's really well written (shocking that a best seller would have a well written devotional...LOL).
These thoughts and his devotional reminded me of a VERY old song in Christian music called "Don't Shoot the Wounded" by Chuck Girard. It was somewhat controversial when it came out because I believe that people would rather hear positive things than be confronted with things that might be uncomfortable. How will we grow in our walk if we don't deal with the uncomfortable? It wasn't the greatest musical score ever done, but the lyrics are certainly worth posting in light of this topic:
(chorus) Don't shoot the wounded, they need us more than ever
They need our love no matter what it is they've done
Sometimes we just condemn them,
And don't take time to hear their story
Don't shoot the wounded, someday you might be one
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It's easy to love the people who are standing hard and fast
Pressing on to meet that higher calling
But the ones who might be struggling, we tend to judge too harshly
And refuse to try and catch them when they're falling
We put people into boxes and we draw our hard conclusions
And when they do the things we know they should not do
We sometimes write them off as hopeless
And we throw them to the dogs
Our compassion and forgiveness sometimes seem in short supply
So I say...(chorus)
We can love them and forgive them
When their sin does not exceed our own
For we too have been down bumpy roads before
But when they commit offenses outside the boundaries we have set
We judge them in a word and we turn them out,
And we close the door
Myself I've been forgiven for so many awful things
I've been cleansed and washed and bathed so many times
That when I see a brother who has fallen from the way
I just can't find the license to convict him of his crimes
So I say...(chorus)
That doesn't mean we turn our heads when we see a brother sin
And pretend that what he's doing is all right
But we must help him see his error, we must lead him to repent
Cry with those who cry, but bring their deeds into the light
For it's the sick that need the doctor,
And it's the lame that need the crutch
It's the prodigal who needs the loving hand
For a man who's in despair, there should be
Kindness from his friends'
Lest he should forsake the fear of almighty God
And turn away from God and man
So I Say...
©1982 Sea of Glass Music/ASCAP
Truly - we can't shoot the wounded because one day we might be one. As is stated in the song...I've been forgiven and shown grace by my Savior...I certainly don't have license to convict anyone. Praise God for His amazing grace...it's not just a song title...it's a gift freely given but rarely understood. I have lived Psalm 103:1-12 so who am I to judge?
