Confessions of a Curly Mustache Casualty...

Let me tell you a story. Ahem *clears throat* Once upon a time there was a young innocent college student who for our story's purposes we shall call Lulu. One day Lulu was sitting on a bench by some red and purple flowers quietly (and innocently) studying for her german quiz and humming to herself. Suddenly, out of nowhere, an evil french gardener with a mustache drove up in a John Deere tractor. Seeing Lulu he noticed her small Sea World keychain. He decided she must be a marine biologist, and as such, decided she was far too dry. So with his short, stubby fingers he curled the ends of his french mustache and headed toward the sprinkler control box with a gleam of pure evilness.

Lulu was taken aback. Surely no one could be that evil, curved mustache or not. She braced for impact knowing she didn't have enough time to run away. The man flipped the switch, turning on the sprinklers and completely soaking poor Lulu and her note cards. He then ran to his tractor and rode off with a malicious smile. Poor sweet innocent Lulu was ruined, as were her note cards she had spent hours on the night before. And then, Sweet, darling, harmless, Lulu did something she had never done before. She silently declared war on the man with the curved mustache and vowed she would not rest until it was shaved. The girl who once loved everyone was now a hardened criminal. And that is the day that Lulu lost her innocence. This means war curly mustache man. This means WAR!

But I... I mean Lulu needs to learn that revenge is not the answer. Revenge is sweet right? Actually no. The world would like you to think that revenge makes you feel better. That making someone hurt as bad as you hurt somehow evens up the score. Revenge is the motivation behind most movie villians. And while it makes for an awesome, action-packed movie, it doesn't work so well in real life. Because the fact of the matter is: Revenge is bitter. Extremely bitter.

By taking revenge into our own hands, it insures that we haven't or won't let go of all the pain and hurt. A grudge destroys you. And often times it turns you into the villian. But instead Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). The key point is love. Love your enemies as you love yourself. Do not try to overcome evil with evil. Overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

So do these curly mustache gardeners just get let off the hook? No way. They are God's to deal with. And He is Just, so He will deal with them, make no mistake. But He is also compassionate and merciful, so don't get angry if it's in the way you don't expect. The idea is to stop trying to do God's job. He's perfectly capable Himself. He's lived without you for millions of years He doesn't need your input now.

And hopefully the reasons you thought about seeking revenge were a little more than just getting a little wet. If not, you may have a tendency to be over dramatic. Because pain is very real, and people do seriously hurt you. But no matter whether it be a situation like Lulu's or a scarring nightmare that haunts you forever, God's thoughts on revenge are still the same. Remember Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."