July 12, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Mason Cooley (American Aphorist)

“A happy arrangement: many people prefer cats to other people, and many cats prefer people to other cats.” – Mason Cooley

“So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab. God’s anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand, so the donkey turned off the road and went into the field, and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it scraped against the wall and scraped Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck it again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!”But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” Numbers 22:21-30

How We Treat One Another

I am not sure if Balaam would prefer his donkey to other people, but he certainly has a donkey who is a straight shooter. I just love the donkey’s comment: “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” We have all said something we just did not mean, like “I am so mad I could just _____ you.” Whether that blank had a word like “hit” or “kill” it was said within the emotion of anger.

As we encounter in the story of Balaam’s donkey, the core of any healthy human or animal encounter is the relationship between them. The closer the relationship between two creatures the more honest and open that relationship should be. Now, this is not always the case because of sin. But if we are in relationship with one another then we should be establishing open and honest communication, love and respect for one another.

Is this easy? Of course not. But Jesus does not “suggest” that we love one another, he commands us to love and he commands us to forgive. When we strive to live in relationship with one another, then we will be less likely to strike out with angry words or actions.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, how we treat one another can be a reflection of the closeness of our relationship with you. Teach me to be more loving and forgiving and remind me daily to treat others as I want them to treat me. Amen.

Pastor Dave