Ouch! My Dad developed a frozen shoulder condition and boy, we took him from one hospital to another with no avail, till the “Magnet therapy” did the trick. In this series, I intend to touch upon a particular type of “shoulder problem” and the “therapy” related to it.
While, I have not endured the pain of a frozen shoulder, I have experienced the pain of yet another “shoulder problem” . . . getting cold-shouldered!!! While a Dictionary may define the phrase Cold-shoulder as “pay no attention to”, it cannot adequately describe the pain involved of the person at the receiving end of it all.
The Saviour Himself was not exempt to this pain inflicted on Him by this spiritually “cold” World. Scripture puts it aptly “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11). We who follow Him are bound taste the same bitter pill of rejection, now and then, when we stand up for all that is God-honoring and true.
What then ought to be our response to all those who cold-shoulder us? Do we snap ties or show Christ-like persistent love? The answer ought to be obvious to all who take pride in their relationship with the loving Redeemer. While on the subject of being coldly brushed aside, as His Chosen lot, we ought to be doubly careful that we are being contemptuously dismissed for having been LOVING AND TRUTHFUL and not for wrong reasons. In this context, observes Apostle Peter wisely . . . “Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you” (I Peter 2:20)
Ah to be loving despite being unloved at all times! What is about Love (guaranteed to break nine times out of ten even cold, stony hearts) that is so sublime? Let the Scripture answer. “God is love” (John 4:8). So when we put on love (Colossians 3:14), we are donning the “most irresistible attire” one has ever worn. After all, is anything more beautiful than the Creator?
Prayer: Father, despite being snubbed unfairly, with Thy power enable me to respond in love always. In Jesus Name. Amen
Suresh Manoharan
(To access the entire “Of Soldiers and Shoulders” mini-series, please click here.)