Schadenfreude
He weeps for her, my friends.
He does not laugh, as so many have done at her expense lately. He weeps. His precious daughter cries out in her fear, calling for her mother. And He weeps.
And as a shepherd leaves the other ninety-nine to look for the one lost, so He searches for her.
I do not keep up with the news so much anymore, but the story of the lonely heiress has captured my heart lately, in a way that has surprised me.
You see, I laughed at her.
And the moment I did, I felt His sadness. Oh, Beloved.
For I, too, have strayed. I left the safety of the fold and wandered, though tags still circled my neck... "My name is Beloved", and "If found, please return me to the Master". Like a bell, they tinkled and warned me that I wandered too far, but I pushed ahead recklessly.
And when I strayed so far that I lay weak and motionless, He found me. Carried me to the safety of His fold and secured me there, and then set out to find another wandering lamb.
Having been on both sides of the gate, my compassion is great for those who wander. And yet I have stood by and laughed at her pain, delighted in her quandary, safely munching on my green grass and surrounded by others who have been rescued.
Jesus called to him, high in the tree, to come down for a dinner party. He knelt and wrote in the sand for her, leading all who accused her to drop their stones. He touched the shriveled hand on the Sabbath. Breathed the same air as the ten lepers. (Luke 19:1-10; John 8:1-11; Matthew 12:9-13; Luke 17:12-19)"This is the supreme command. Through the medium of prayer we go to our enemy, stand by his side, and plead for him to God." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
She is not my enemy. Still, I am leaving the safety of the fold again, but this time it is to stand by her side, and plead for her to God.
Join me?
(The title of this post, Schadenfreude, is the German word for "pleasure taken from someone else's misfortune.")
You are welcome to visit my personal blog at A Path Made Straight
Labels: Elise's Articles, Grace, Love, Prayer
posted by Elise @A Path Made Straight @ 9:00 AM
11 Comments:
Oh Elise this touched me deeply.
I too have laughed at her and I am so thankful for your article. It convicted me and touched my heart in just the right way and I will join you in your prayers for her.
Thank you for letting the spirit move through you. Too many of us have let our hearts become hard to the news - I am guilty of this crime. I pray that many hearts will be pierced and softened by your article.
Blessings & thanks,
Michelle
Such a lovely post, bless you.
So true, and a great reminder to love others the way we should.
Great post Elise. No one is innocent. All have gone astray.
Rescue by the Lamb is our hope!
Lovely, Elise. Thanks for letting me know that you, too, would be writing about this. Beautifully spoken. http://restoringtheyears.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-love-paris-hilton-really-i-do.html
I have pitied her much, but I have not taken the time to pray for her. I must do so now. She needs His mercy, grace, and forgiveness as much as I.
What sorrow I would feel if I was standing beside her at the throne of God today, knowing that I laughed through her struggle.
Oh my... Conviction at its best. Thank you!! My sisters and I have been talking about her plight and about her, often with glee in our voices. Oh yuck! Now I must confess my sin and ask for forgiveness. Thank you!
Thank you Elise. Thank you.
I for one needed to read this. I have thrown my hands up at Hollywood so many times that I forget that they too are God's children and He loves and adores them so very much. Conviction is a blessing. God is seeking ALL those who wander.
Thank you for reminding me.
Elise,
How very touching and needful. I knew little of her plight until just recently. Thank you for this--we all need these slaps from time to time. I will most definitely join you. May the Lord bring this wanderer to Himself.
Thank you, dear friend, for helping to set me straight. I have laughed, too. I threw a stone, I who am most certainly not sinless. Through reading your touching words, the Lord has helped me to change my spirit from one of "schadenfreude" to one of pity.
And your description of straying and being found... it brought tears to my eyes, for I too strayed and was found by our loving Shepherd and tenderly carried back to the fold.
Thank you, dear Elise. And most of all, thank YOU, Lord.
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