Bless those who curse you, especially those who fear your anointing and want to quiet your voice. When you are misunderstood by the masses it elevates your awareness of small mindedness and how you can fly higher because you don’t succumb to petty offenses. Take the high way even if it means to stand alone among the groupthink because Jesus will never betray you, leave you or misguide you. All your steps are understood by the One in heaven who has suffered in the same ways as you. To be like him you will suffer as he did. When people come against you, especially from “so-called” Christians, you have to wipe the dust off your feet and keep walking forward in the direction of the call on your life. Troubles will come and it hurts more from those in the Kingdom but bless them anyway because your mercy covers their judgment and could work to open their minds.

I am only writing this of course to heal my own hurt and make sense of an immature spiritual atmosphere where some professed to be believers. In an instant I was answering questions from a customer in front of a co-worker at a small market, when to my amazement the expression that I shared, didn’t go along with their limited mindsets, so tattling ensued. There have been plenty of preachers that speak about hen peckers and I love that terminology to depict gossiping women who cluck like chickens because I have walked in on it so many times. This time however, that sarcastic analogy applies to my taking the brunt of it’s evil. I am convinced that these women have not yet matured into confidence for themselves which is why I stand firm in mine alone and maintain my peace. I feel sorry for people that have to spend a bunch of money on ridiculously marked-up flouncy clothing yet do not know the depth of a relationship that they could cultivate with their Savior if they just stayed home and stopped following trends. After all, trends in church circles relate just as simply to the rustic, cliquey little boutique where faith is just a cliche. It is the same clientele who solicits me with fundraising pamphlets for a business that slaps “Christ” on it for validation, but has a problem with the transparency I see behind their motives. So rather than defending myself, I acknowledge that greater levels of revelation come from pursuit for abundant life and that this environment would not be able to sustain that purpose. In my dismissal I claim my liberty from accusation among an audience that wasn’t able to love and accept in ways they proclaim and I remain grateful for an experience that will further push me toward the depth of authenticity that few will ever know.