In Which I Am Angry With Brant Hansen

Recently I heard something that really bothered me. Okay so 'bothered' is not the right word. 'Ticked me off' would be more accurate. And so I did what any red-blooded American in the 21st-century does, I took to social media with my gripe. And just like that my displeasure, perfectly phrased and exquisitely worded, was placed out for public consumption so that I could make sure I knew who agreed with me in their offense at the ridiculous statement that I had just heard. 

What I want to share with you is what happened in the 2 minutes after I posted my gripe. 

You see, I recently read a book that has challenged me deeply. And by 'challenge me deeply' I mean stepped all over my toes. The thing is, I am one of those weirdos that actually seeks out people to step on my toes. I don't necessarily enjoy it. I hate it actually. Detest is an even better word. Yet, still, I need it. My faith walk needs it. My life needs it. I need to be challenged in every possible way. It's one of the few things that truly helps me grow.  

This book to which I'm referring is 'Unoffendable' by Brant Hansen.  

I'm not going to give you a book review or a synopsis of what this book covers. And the title of this post lies.  I'm not actually angry with Brant Hansen. Ok, I was. A little. I certainly didn't like him for a little while.  However, I will just tell you that if you're struggling with forgiveness, self-righteousness, judgmentalism, the concept of grace...you know, those issues that most of us struggle with on any given day, then you need to read this book. 

I am presently at a place in my life where I am seeking to love others better. I'm seeking to know others better. I'm a sucker for a good story, and I want to know everyone's. I truly believe that only in knowing an individual's story can we truly begin to know their heart, feel compassion, and begin to love them the way that Jesus does. But in order to do that, I really have to get the chip off of my shoulder. That is a terribly difficult task.

I don't know if you have ever struggled with letting go of hurt that someone else has inflicted on you, neglect that you have felt in an area of your life, rejection, pain, brokenness. But I know that I have, and in the years that I have journeyed with Jesus as His beloved, I would be lying if I said that seeds of bitterness had not begun to sprout within my heart. I have a chip on my shoulder. And I recently asked God to knock it off. 

Shortly after that, I found this book. While reading it, I have laughed out loud, I have cried openly, and I have related to so many of the things that Brant has shared. I have been the rejected one. I have been the one to reject others. And it's time that I get over myself, stop taking the world so personally as if it is attacking who I am, see into people's hearts a little bit more deeply, and just love them. 

Not every stupid thing said or done around me requires my input, my assessment, my comment or rebuke. 

Simply put, what's happening is not about me. Even when it is about me, really it isn't. 

No really. 

It's. 

Not. 

So, back to this crisp Spring evening, as I placed my smart device into my lap, so proud of my astute commentary on the events that surrounded me, within the next two minutes the conviction that I have felt while reading this book, and studying these words against the word of God, moved me. I was humbled. I was out of line. And I deleted my comment. 

My comment was seen. And I have been asked about it since, much to my disappointment. However, maybe that's not such a bad thing. Because you see, I need a little grace, too. If I can be an example of a smart-mouth know-it-all, quick with her online gripes who can start to change her ways through the changing of her heart, then anyone can. 

I pray for unity. 

I thank God for grace. 

I seek out opportunities to stretch outside my comfort zone. 

I acknowledge my flaws. 

I repent of my sin. 

And I long to be 

Unoffendable.