Sunday, November 17, 2013

The Cost of Compromise

Sometimes we persevere the wrong direction and we endure unnecessarily, and sometimes obedience involves just starting over after the repentance.  Compromise is expensive, in the overall grand scheme of life, and YHWH calls it mixing holy with profane, which is very displeasing to Him.

As I walk through the preservation at chore time, I see all the improvements that YHWH has allowed to take place.  Some of the ideas that have come to fruition are just truly heart warming, and some of the ideas had to be scratched, or even worse "blew up in my face."  The ones that blew up though, were always built on a foundation of compromise . . . mine.  The blow ups were consistent, regardless of the parties participating . . . Once I refused to concede, the war was on.   The deal is, though, this is the place YHWH brought me to tend, so I can only accommodate so far before it becomes obvious that this just isn't the place for whatever the visitors have in mind.  That's why I felt so strongly about writing a short note to Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him to hold that ground and make no more concessions.  Concessions are just like drinks in AA.  One is too many and a thousand will never be enough . . .

Compromise isn't really about the other party at all, it's about a lack of faith and the condition of our own heart!  Compromise basically comes about for two reasons.  One, we just plain want something and justify and rationalize. Two, we think G-d can't pull it off without our amazing skills of concession!   Either way, it's about seating self on the throne of the heart!  Just an aside here, I have definitely determined that life is so much better, when self is dethroned.  If we belong to YHWH but don't surrender to His plan; just as with ancient Israel, He will use our enemies to get our attention!  Often we're already playing the compromise and concession plan with the very enemy He'll use.

Concession is agreeing to give something for nothing, it's not a trade, it's not a negotiation.  Concession is giving something that is rightfully yours or maybe not rightfully, but it involves giving it to someone who has no right to it!  Compromise on the other hand can be a bit more subtle.  Compromise is giving thanks and asking for a blessing over a kosher meal when you've invited the devil to dinner!


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