Take a look at the picture to the left. I'm sure you've seen this piece of art before, right? It's called "The Thinker". It was sculpted by Auguste Rodin somewhere between the 18 or 1900's. The person depicted in this great work of art is expressing deep thought in both his posture and facial expression. He appears to be exhaustively pondering or meditating deeply on something that has completely captured his full attention and mental efforts. What he's thinking about, I have absolutely no idea. Researchers argue that the focus of his thoughts center around some internal struggle he's supposedly battling with. However, if we never got a glimpse into this man's thoughts to identify the target of his attention for ourselves, we can clearly see that whatever he's pondering has become the focus of his entire being. Would you agree?A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about the recent rise to fame of the notorious and infamous "haters" of this world. I've seen so many facebook status updates about people's haters. I've heard lectures, sermons, powerpoint presentations, dissertations and legal defense arguments about these so-called "haters". Of course, I'm exaggerating a little, but you get my point. I began to wonder, if much of what people call their haters, is really some deep rooted sense of entitlement that makes them feel that they're superior than their said hater. What's worse is it appears that the new found trend of having "haters" has evolved into a twisted source of validation for some. And with all that's going on in this world, is being a hater or having a hater really worth that much energy and attention???? Now don't get me wrong, we all have critics and nay-sayers. We will always have them too. As long as we have breath in our bodies and as long as we discover our differences as human beings, the life of the "hater" will continue to evolve. But, so what? Does that mean that these individuals have become so important in life, you now have to obsess over them and their efforts to "hate on you"?
This morning I was reading Psalms 119 in my Message Bible (my favorite translation, by the way). In this particular passage of scripture, David is basically expressing how important God's guidance is to him, how God's word and direction keeps him on course or keeps him on track. Check it out when you have a chance. Great passage of scripture! One thing that stood out to me in this particular passage is the number of times David brought up his "critics" or his "haters" as I hear so many people rave about these days. Let's examine David's thoughts:
Psalms 119 (MSG Translation):
Verse 23 - "While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel."
Verse 39 - "Deflect the harsh words of my critics, but what you say is always so good."
Verses 41-42 - "41- Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; 42-Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word."
Verse 51 - "The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation."
Verse 61 - "The wicked hemmed me in-there was no way out- but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me."
Verse 69 - "The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying."
Verse 87 - "They've pushed and pushed-they never let up- but I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel."
Verse 95 - "The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me."
Verse 110 - "The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don't swerve an inch from your course."
Verse 157 - "My antagonists are too many to count, but I don't swerve from the directions you gave."
Verse 161 - "I've been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable."
Wow! Over and over again, David acknowledges he's been the subject of gossip, he's been criticized, mocked, ridiculed, hemmed in, lied on, pushed, antagonized, slandered and essentially "hated" on. But his FOCUS consistently diverts back to God's word and instruction, which in-turn keeps him on track, in essence keeping him on top. Do you see that??? After reading these verses, I found myself sitting just like my sculpted friend, "The Thinker", wondering.... if David, who was a king, a Psalmist, a man after God's own heart, repeatedly encountered "haters", then maybe his advice on dealing with them has some credibility. So, how exactly does David suggest we address our haters?... Simple Answer. We don't. And I would argue that we don't address them at all for several reasons: 1) We are not defined by our critics or haters. Our identity is clear-cut and precisely rooted in and defined by God, our creator. 2) We have no reason to answer to them because at the end of the day, we must give an account to one person regarding our life. God. 3) We waste too much time trying to prove ourselves or get people to see things through our eyes when they've basically made up their minds about us. There's absolutely no benefit in wasting our energy trying to correct our critics or set them straight.
Now let's go a little bit deeper. Have you ever been hurt or criticized by someone and you found yourself weeks later, replaying or reliving those hurtful thoughts over and over in your mind? I'll be honest with you. I've done it a time or two myself and never have I found it to change a thing nor yield any positive benefits for that matter. The bible holds the center of our thoughts in utmost importance.
Philippians 4: 8-9 (MSG translation) reads:
"Summing it all up friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."
Other translations of verse 9 say : "...and the God of peace shall be with you."
PEACE!!!!! How can you have any peace if your thoughts are fixated on negativity: negative people, negative thoughts, negative behavior, negative attitudes.... Do you see what I'm saying family? You will live a frustrated and irritated life trying to keep up with your haters. Instead, friends, you are going to have to reprogram your thinking to first of all become so acquainted, so passionate, so hungry about God's word and His plan for your life, that when your critics arise, you don't have time to acknowledge or address them. And in the event that you do allow offense to seep into your heart from something they've done or said concerning you, you must rapidly react in prayer for that individual and keep on trucking down the path God has laid before you!
One of the things I now admire about Jesus, but I honestly was utterly confused by for a long time, is found in Luke 23: 33-35, when He was criticized and mocked while being put to death on a cross. He reacted to their hatred by going to God in prayer, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." Now first of all, we know that Jesus could have easily shown them who He really was. Instead, He chose to embody love and exercise humility. We have to really start practicing humility these days, which I believe is a simple expression of quiet confidence. We don't have to debate or argue or prove anything when we exercise true humility. We don't have to rally up folks to take our side on issues against our "haters". We don't have to resort to passive aggressive behavior either to indirectly get a point across to our so called "haters". We simply do not have to do anything but continue being true to our God and true to ourselves. Do you see that???
So friends, as the rally to glorify "the haters" of this world continues, let me admonish you to guard your focus. Be mindful of the target of your attention and thoughts because there's so many more important things in this life to focus on, particularly in the days we live in. As one of my facebook friends so eloquently put it, "haters are so overrated". Don't believe the hype folks! Fix your attention on the things above, the things that truly matter, the things that produce fruit and give life!
Selah....
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so grateful to you that when we face criticism, you give us the grace to focus on your Word and your plan for our lives. I thank You that in Your word you warned us that we'd face many afflictions as your righteous people, but You also promised You would deliver us out of them all. I pray that you would continue the great work you've began in us, constantly developing and refining our character and teaching us to love just as you do. Remind us to bring our critics or our enemies to you in prayer Father, not that you would hurt them or get them, but that you would heal them and mature them, essentially shifting their focus back to your word and your plan for their lives dear God. In Jesus Name, Amen.