Overlook An Offense
I left my ram where he lay and started on the sheep trail to get my pack. I had no lightweight or quality gear of any kind, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that my pack probably weighed 70 pounds. Because I was so high on the mountain this was only a 10 minute traverse. It was definitely sketchy, but I had confidence because I'd walked it once before.
As I rounded the end of the mountain, to my utter disbelief the hunter who had snuck through the night and screwed us up on these rams was actually sitting on my backpack! He was hoping that I might scare those rams back to him on this sheep trail. I was so disgusted that when he stood up I simply shouldered my pack and turned away.
He asked, "Did you get him?"
I said, "Yes."He said, You're not going to carry that pack on that sheep trail?"
I replied, "It's either that or dropping down to the valley and spending hours walking around the mountain and then climbing up to him. This is a straight shot."He said, "I tried to walk that trail just carrying my rifle and it was too dangerous. I turned back."
I didn't answer. Soon I had disappeared around the corner of the mountain. I could have had an ugly conversation with this guy. I might even argue that I had a 'right' to chew him out. But what would it have a accomplished? What would have changed? How would it have made things better? So often in life the best course of action is to NOT engage, to NOT rise up in anger, to NOT point out others' faults.
Jesus told us that if a man slapped us on one cheek, we should turn to him the other also. If a man steals from us, we should give to him even more than he has taken. If a man forces us to work for him, we should do even more than he demanded. It is the great privilege of followers of Christ to overlook an offense. Live this way and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad
Written on February 12, 2026
Posted in Daily Devotions