The High Road

The High Road

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

“I felt like packing my bags and running away,” Mary said.

Sara and I leaned in a bit closer over our small table at the coffee shop, wanting to lend support as Mary spoke of a time that clearly still stung, even though it was two decades ago. She spoke of deep betrayal—a knife in the back from a man who was a best friend and business partner. His actions ultimately boiled down to money, saving face, and pride. Her husband became the scapegoat in a business deal gone wrong, and their combined circle of friends, their small town, and their church picked sides, with almost all of them choosing the friend because his family wielded far more wealth and social influence. Her family lost everything, and she and her husband found themselves starting over at age forty.

While Mary spoke of humiliation and devastation, she also spoke of her husband choosing the high road, over and over. He refused to go on the offensive in an effort to clear his name, refused to seek vengeance for intentional actions that had destroyed his family financially. They did not repay evil with evil, and they did their former friend no harm in return.

Now, two decades later, she and her husband have prospered in a different way. My friend wields enormous spiritual influence across our nation and across the globe; her advice and counsel are sought by men and women in highly placed pastoral positions. She is wise and discerning; her advice is measured always against Scripture, and being in her presence brings the peace of Christ even in the midst of chaos.

After a few beats of silence as we processed her story, Mary observed that Jesus, too, was betrayed—perhaps, in part, because he knew most of us would face the heartache of betrayal and that we would need to know that our Savior experienced the same devastation we feel. He asks us to trust him when he tells us to take the high road and not to seek our own vengeance. He redeems. He restores. He elevates us when we take the high road.

— Julie

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

When a friend wrongs you, take the high road and trust God to provide for and guide you.