I recently learned of a leader of an organization who fell in disgrace. I should have felt compassion, but all I felt was contempt.
I knew too much.
I’d heard one too many stories of the misappropriation of funds and the over-reporting of the non-profit’s impact. Their behavior and approach had done more harm than good in that area of the world. Numerous other organizations-with fewer resources and less recognition-who tried to make a difference in that area had to overcome the mess they’d left behind. The reports of fiscal irresponsibility and poor leadership wasn’t just told by those outside the organization but also those who worked in the organization.
So when their leader fell, I wasn’t surprised.
But I was surprised at how hard my heart had become toward them. Not even a spark of compassion. Nada.
And that exposes the great danger of contempt. It short-circuits the work of love of in our lives. A powerful love that triumphs, that overcomes, that rises again can so quickly be snuffed out by a little contempt. And somewhere along the way, I think I somehow snuff out the work of God, too. Because God is love. He is the source of all love. When I refuse to love, to show and feel compassion, in essence I throw my palm up to God and say, “Here and no further!”
I’m left to stew in my contempt.
But I don’t want to live that way. So I pray this day. I pray for love and compassion that I don’t feel. I pray for this leader whose life has just been marked by loss. I pray for this organization that wisdom and grace and guidance and blessing would come in divine ways.
And that God would not only forgive me of my contempt but remove it from my heart.
Boy, this contempt has been a hard one to give up for Lent!
*Photo courtesy of here
