Lower Your Stinger

Several days ago, I discovered a small scorpion that had somehow been trapped between the screen and the glass portions of my back door. Fortunately, the species of scorpions that live here are harmless. They sting, but do not inject a fatal dose of poison. Relieved that it couldn’t seriously harm my kids or me I tried to figure out how I could kill it. Since it was an unusually cold day and scorpions are supposed to be hibernating during this time of the year, I determined that the safest way was to simply let it succumb to the elements.

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice-Proverbs 24:17 NIV

When evening came, I knew that the scorpion would soon be a goner. His stinger was instinctually raised, but began to curl…only four of his legs held position. And suddenly, my venomous enemy garnered my pity. Because of where and what he was, I couldn’t help him, but I stopped hating him too. Knowing that his very nature would be the cause of his undoing was sobering.

As I walked away from the nearly frozen scorpion, three words stung my heart:

Love. Your. Enemies.

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’s and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! – Matthew 5:43-44 NLT

Immediately, my shoulder muscles tensed because that commandment riles up my defense mechanisms and makes me ask why? Why love? It would be easier to obey this charge if it were slightly reworded. Ignoring my enemies doesn’t seem so tough. Even tolerating, or bestowing mercy upon them would be doable. But love? Love requires action…love requires risk…love requires forgiveness. But love is what He gives…and love is what He asks of us.

Love. Your. Enemies.

My thoughts shifted from the innate tendencies of the creepy-crawly to the innate tendencies imbedded in the core of humankind. As humans, we see and assign various degrees of evil, but God identifies the same hideous blemish marring the souls of each individual on the planet…sin. The tempo of my pulse accelerated as I remembered both those who hurt me and the pain I had inflicted on others. We are all like that scorpion. We lift our stingers high to ward off others who may do us harm unaware of the increased danger we face as a result.

Always the protective father, God shows us that there is a better way. Instead of building our defenses, He urges us to lower our weapons and fight fire with love.