God is not the one with the anger problem

God isn’t the one with an anger problem.

We should have figured that out when God with us got hung on a cross.

God is not the one who is hostile and needs appeasement, who needs retribution.

God is not the one who uses violence to set things right.

We are.

 

Oh I know the stories. All too well.

God kicking Adam and Eve out of the garden.

God confusing the speech of the people.

God sending the flood.

 

Funny how we like to blame God for the consequences of our actions.

 

Oh I know the stories.

Of God demanding genocide.

 

Funny how we like to use God to justify our actions.

 

But then along comes a baby.

Along comes a healer.

Along comes a forgiver.

Along comes one willing to die for others.

 

Along comes Jesus.

 

Along comes one who champions the poor and abhors revenge and retribution.

And laughs at the idea that wealth can bring joy.

And refuses to buy into the way of domination.

 

Along comes one who tells us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek.

To talk the second mile.

To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give water to the thirsty, and fight for justice.

 

Along comes one who would never be found at a Trump rally.

(or a Biden rally either I suspect)

But who would be found doling out food in a soup kitchen.

 

Along comes love.

Asking us to do one thing.

To follow.

 

To walk through life with humble hearts,

with servant hearts,

and live love.

 

Along comes the one who turns the world upside down,

and assails the Hell that is our hate

 

until we become like him

permeated with love

and beat turn our AR-15s into plowshares

and our handguns into pruning hooks.

 

God is not the one with the anger problem.

God is not the one with the heart that needs to be changed.

 

We are.