All along the valley and over the hills, the flush of spring green has transformed the drab grey and worn-out brown garments of winter. The unfolding of a million-billion leaves wrought the change. And each leaf was a miracle.

Mark Buchanan wrote: “A leaf. Behold a single leaf. . . . Hold it open in your palm. It is perfect as a newborn’s smile. Pinch its stem between thumb and forefinger and hold it to the light. Eden bleeds through. Its veins are like bone work in silhouette. This single leaf, joined to the tree, drinks poison from the air, drinks it serenely as Socrates downing his cup of hemlock, and refuses to return in kind, instead spilling out life-giving oxygen. This leaf tilts to catch the sun, its warmth and radiance, to distill the heat and light down to the shadow, down to the roots, back up to limbs. To shade the earth. To feed you and me.”[1]

A lesson from a leaf! Instead of spewing out carbon monoxide, or deadly sulphur vapour or some other noxious compound, leaves turn toxins into oxygen and food. If only we could learn to do the same.

Jesus taught us, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you . . . be merciful just as your Father is merciful”[2]. As the Father allows his sun to shine on the just and the unjust, his rain to fall on all, his good gifts to be showered indiscriminately, so we are to transform hatred and cursing and mistreatment into deeds of love and blessing. Instead of seeking justice, plotting revenge, drawing away from those who mistreat us, we are to return to our tormentors that which they could never imagine.

As if those few verses are not enough, Jesus goes on to hammer home this revolutionary principle. “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him taking your tunic. . . if someone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back”[3].

Lord that’s tough. How can I wave good morning to the neighbour if he has ruined my lawnmower? How can I forgive the thoughtless person? How can I be loving when I’m so carelessly misunderstood? Won’t I perpetuate an injustice? Aren’t I setting myself up for more abuse? Won’t I project the image of being a pushover? Lord, it’s so unnatural.

I guess that’s the point. The Kingdom of God is not about acting like everyone else. Jesus taught, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that?”[4].

Jesus had in mind overturning the natural order, instituting a revolutionary response to others by returning good for evil And yet I seem socialized to limit my responses to others to returning good for good. To invite someone for dinner who has previously invited us. To send a card to those who sent cards to us in a similar situation. To say good morning to those who reciprocate. To help those who are grateful. But Christ calls me to move it up a notch, to send cards to those who will never reciprocate, casseroles to those who have been miserable neighbours and phone calls to those who never phone us. (Incidentally, when I mention neighbours I’m talking generally. We’ve had wonderful neighbours.)

Responding to people as Jesus directs requires a supernatural re-ordering of our lives. No wonder we need the minute-by-minute empowering of the Holy Spirit.

Imagine if every Christian, like every leaf, returned good for evil. Drivers refused to blow their horns in frustration at those who cut in front of them. Neighbours kept on loaning their tools even when they came back damaged. Christians kept on praying for columnists who deny Christ. Parents continued to love rebellious children. Grown-up children forgave workaholic parents for neglect. What a difference we would make! The light of Christ’s love would shine brighter and farther.

Lord, help me to embrace the principles of your kingdom by responding as you did to those who spitefully used you. Enable me to overcome the anger and annoyance that arises from rudeness or ill treatment or being ignored. Inspire me to go about doing good, speaking words of encouragement and smiling. May I be one who loves to do random acts of kindness.  (Read Luke 6:27-36)

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

[1] Mark Buchanan, The Holy Wild, Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah, 2003, p. 53

[2] Luke 6:27,28,36

[3] Luke 6:29,30

[4] Luke 6:32,33