In the Word: Living In a Cain World

It’s not my fault…

I only did it because…

I didn’t do it… He did!

It’s not my responsibility…

We live in a Cain kind of world today. By that I mean, we live in a world where people do not want to take responsibility for what they do. They certainly do not want to take responsibility for anyone else. According to Cain we are not our brothers keeper in any sense of the word.

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4:9

Can you hear the anger and bitterness in Cain’s voice? The sound echoes from the ground where Cain is buried somewhere in the Middle East. It reverberates in every community and culture on earth today.

At CCLS, we live in a (imperfect) Christian Community. While the same issues and challenges apply to us on a daily basis, we sometimes see glimpses of heaven amidst the rough-hewn edges of society. The lessons are sinking in!

As an example, just the other day, three young boys were brought to me after some issues on the playground. I was told they had exchanged sharp words with one another and things had gotten heated during a football game. In a Cain kind of world the exchange with those boys would have included lots of denial about who was responsible. There would have been accusations and recrimination. Anger and blame would have been passed from one to the other…  That did not happen. I left the boys waiting as I went and completed a short task. When I came back and was about to say something to them, the oldest among them spoke for the group and said, “We worked it all out Mr. Boehlke. ” A smile came to my face as I asked what they had decided. He said, “We all said we were sorry.” “Everyone just got into the game too much.” He explained a bit more. I asked a few follow up questions, to check and see if everything was covered. Had they learned a lesson? Would they try harder in the future? Yes, yes.

Perfect? By no means was it perfect, but it was pretty cool. I saw little Christian boys, solving their own problem amongst themselves so that everyone could walk away feeling good. That is a definition for a Christian Community. They cared enough for each other, for the Lord and for who we are as a school; to let the minor issues related to their game get in the way. 

Am I my brother’s keeper?  God’s word speaks loudly in response to that question. Clearly we are. We are to respond in love when those around us are in pain or are suffering. We are to respond in love when our neighbor is hungry or hurting. We are to respond with words of compassion when someone is lonely. We are to respond with words of forgiveness when someone acknowledges a wrong. In essence we are to share Christ in word and in action.

But, we live in a Cain kind of world. Like Cain, we have our moments where we fall horrible short. I have had those moments. When Grace was required, I was stubborn. When support was needed, I failed to respond. The list goes on! The Apostle Paul wrestled with issues like this too. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 he said:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Thankfully, we have a Lord who knows our shortcomings as well as our strengths. He provided us with a way out of this mess. Jesus came into this world at just the right time. His life and death on the cross were the sacrifices needed to wash away my since. When he rose he conquered death for me. Pretty cool. 

I will continue living in this Cain kind of world cloaked in Christ. I will fall short again, I will lean on my Savior Jesus again. I will keep seeking the Christian Community and glimpse of Heaven that encourage me in my journey. I encourage you to join me on this journey too.

In His Service,

Jeff Boehlke

Principal