Have you ever been misunderstood? You’ve said something, put something out there on the socials, had a go at raising your voice and sharing something of you but you’ve been misunderstood? A moment when you found the courage to share something, to throw out an idea or a sentiment, or even more maybe to share an idea original to you but you ended up being character assassinated and taken down.
Have you felt that?
Maybe you’ve discovered a lie about you that’s gone arounds your mates, family or at work. Social media warriors have latched on to the lie and taken it out into the cloud and back again, but it was a lie, not even a shred of truth.
Have you felt that?
How about a great mate who you’ve trusted with something you love, a precious secret or item that means so much to you. Then you discover the depth of their betrayal, the thing you loved so much just thrown away, discarded or mistreated.
Have you felt that?
Have you been in town or on the bus and without warning, without reason or logic you get a slap or a kick from someone focused on doing you some physical harm? It stings your logic processors as you try and quickly work out what is going, how should I react and who even is this?
Have you felt that?
Perhaps now with the rise of social media and our inability at times to unplug from its tentacles, you’ve known the mocking voice of gossip. You know people are talking about you and sharing their disappointment, or just plain maliciousness vented at you.
Have you felt that?
When experiencing some of these and others, and I heard a voice reply to my inner questioning. That voice was Jesus’ saying this:
Yeah. I know
He knows the crushing weight of being misunderstood and the bitterness of lies being told about him. He knows the moments when friends have failed him and left him at his most crucial moments in life. He knows physical pain from assault and attack, crushing injustice. He knows the hurt from gossiping about him, people’s agendas of hate and envy. He knows.
Jesus isn’t a statue or lifeless effigy in your nans house. He is alive and lived the same life we are living now. He understands and knows the reality. You can trust him.
Image Credit: Joshua Ness
