Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Friday September 8, 2006

I comment today on the problems and value of being an irritant. Note I did not say, being irritated, nor did I say being irritable, but being an irritant.

Webster defines the noun 'irritant' thusly:

"something that irritates or excites; specifically : an agent by which irritation is produced "

My long time friend, Kenn Gividen wrote: "What I would like to know is...How have you managed to keep the faith when the evidence of the Holy Spirit has not been apparent in the many people who have criticized you over the years?I suppose that's true of any pastor, but you've seemed to have more than your share of detractors. – Kenn"

I wrote to Kenn: "I suppose the keeping of the faith is also a gift that is more powerful than the detractor's criticism. I admit to being hurt emotionally by the attacks, but there is a principle, stated somewhere that the lesser always attacks the greater. I take a smug comfort in that truth. Keep the faith, Larry"

On November 20, 2002 I quoted the Great Blonde's remark to me when I was being castigated for 'offending' some dear soul with truth. In the article I referred to the offended party as Highly Offended. The wife of my youth said in her oh, so comforting manner:

"Larry, being irate is not a fruit of the Spirit, but you do have the gift of imparting this much desired state, as Paul had the power to lay on hands and impart gifts, you can just walk into a room and often the irritation level rises."

Ah, what a wife!

What a lovely way to call me an irritant. Could it be what the modern loonies call 'chemistry?'

It could be that I have a good sense of what Jesus has called to me to be and do, and so when I walk into a room, I am not looking for approval or even permission to breathe and this radiates an unfettered spirit, a spirit set free by Jesus. This causes the bearing, the stature that silently says, "Hey, I just walked into the room, adjust."

People don't seem to like this attitude.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

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