Doormats come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Some are more durable than others. All are intended to welcome a visitor into the entrance of a dwelling. But woe is the fate of the entry mat, for visitors scuff their feet across its surface to wipe the dirt and scum away, or simply tromp right on over its top indifferent to its presence.
Have you ever felt used like a doormat? Instances like, people taking advantage of your generosity, extending a helping hand only to be slapped, working with a partner who turned against you, trusting someone’s goodwill only to learn the hard way they were motivated by self-interest and not concerned about your interests at all?
You might have some examples to share of your own…?
“Be wise as serpents,” Jesus admonished his disciples. Jesus was not naïve about the evil intent of the worldly minded. He told his followers to be stay alert, pay attention, be aware and diligent to not let the selfish thought take advantage of their desire to help. Do not cast your pearls before swine, he further instructed.
But he also taught us to be harmless as doves. Love, but don’t be used, I read into this guidance.
It is not true humility to let one be used by selfishness.
Humility is power, strength, authority and control. Humility is wise, discerning, alert, and acts ahead of evil. It does not cower, cave-in to wrong, or resign to loss. Humility does not play the role of victim, fear evil, or let wrong dominate.
Humility acts with Love and Principle. It is clear-minded, focused, convicted of right, unafraid to confront wrong, and stands with God. Humility is protection, power and strength. It is the weak human ego pushed aside and God in action through us.
We don’t have to let the intruders of self-interest, self-righteousness, indifference, anger, or jealousy stomp over top us and invade our mental house of purity and love. Rather than laying down for evil as a doormat, stand at attention like a porter. Keep your hand on the doorknob to your mental house and allow in only the visitors you wish to commune with. The unwanted trespassers can go elsewhere.
And if each one of us is diligently staying on our watch, guarding all of the doors, then the unwanted trespassers will have nowhere else to go, vanishing into nothingness!
Thanks, Evan, for your empowering ideas.
haha, love the title!
Laura
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If I find myself getting angry with someone,and then listen for ideas to resolve the issue, I so often find that I’ve forgotten that it’s my “door” and not the other persons that needs oiling – well-put article.
Ann
I’m glad a friend shared your blog with me today. “Someone” drew me to the title of this article and told me to click on it and read. It’s precisely what I needed to be reminded of (dangling preposition notwithstanding!).