While attending church last weekend, our pastor shared an excerpt from the book of Mark that stuck with me:
“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked
them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10: 13-14(NIV)
them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10: 13-14(NIV)
The passage stuck with me, not because of the children (that is a topic I will write about soon enough), but because of the word “indignant.”
Indignant: Feeling characterized by or expressing strong displeasure at something
considered unjust, offensive, insulting or base.
considered unjust, offensive, insulting or base.
In the Mark excerpt above, Jesus gets so indigent with the disciples because they have stopped the children from coming to him. Jesus points out the significance of children and their importance to the kingdom of God. The children are his cornerstone. The children are his weak spot. The children are his foundation.
What in this world are we so passionate about that would cause us to be truly and justly indignant under any situation? For many people the answer lies in family and friends. When you harm those people closest to someone it digs into a deeper part of the human psychology than most understand. Harm a mother’s child and you will see what I am talking about. For others it’s money. Money rules some lives and when it is at risk or played with you may see all socially-refined actions and thoughts go out the window. To see this in action, consider the Enron scandal that changed the corporate America we see today.
As imperfect humans, we are susceptible to moments of rage and anger but how often do these coincide with truly indignant situations? Most likely- not often; which makes me wonder what cornerstones we base our lives around that would cause such a heartfelt and immeasurable anger rather than foolish and situational annoyance or frustration. For me, I hope that religion and my faith in the Lord would cause me to put a hard foot on the ground and not be swayed. I hope this so much that I recently got a tattoo that says “Faith, Grace and Love”- 3 words that I remind myself daily to live by. This does not mean I succeed daily and trust me- I don’t, but I want to remind myself of these cornerstones. I also hope to be justly infuriated if someone intentionally hurts my friends and family. My mother and her incredible personality drove me to be the independent woman I am today. I am forever indebted to her, my sister, my brother and my close friends for the strength they have given and taught me during my 29 years of life.
As another day passes and I find myself angered over a spilled cup of coffee while I drive down I-25 on my way to work, or frustration overcomes me when dealing with a rude colleague, slow waiter or unforgiving friend I hope to reflect on the difference between situational anger and being truly indignant.
As the saying goes: If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.
What do you stand for- what are your indignant truths?
What do you stand for- what are your indignant truths?