Appeasement

There's been quite a "to-do" over the word appeasement the past couple of days. To tell the truth, I haven't understood a word of what the squabbling is about. In my mind, the whole issue is just another way to decrease ratings of one of our political parties and the outgoing head of that party. Since the theme of my blog doesn't lend itself to politics, plus the fact that I'm not a politician, I don't get too specific. Did you notice?

I relied on dictionary.com to help me out with exactly what all the talk is about. Kevin James, talk show host, as interviewed on Hardball, had a difficult time with it himself.

O.K....I'm not completely illiterate. I knew the verb "appease" as defined in first and second definition. So I'm assuming in my not so political thinking that it has something to do with number 3.

1. to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe: to appease an angry king.

2. to satisfy, allay, or relieve; assuage: The fruit appeased his hunger.

3. to yield or concede to the belligerent demands of (a nation, group, person, etc.) in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles.

To the best of my understanding, the appeasement of Adolf Hitler by the British and French governments between 1933 and 1939 is the best-known case of appeasement , and one of the major causes of the negative connotations now attached to the word.

So? What does that mean to me? I wasn't even born until November, 1939! (Alright, you politicos...you can stop laughing now!)

Elementarily speaking, appeasement is "giving in to a bully".

Right or wrong, we all appease in our daily lives and make concessions in order to get concessions in return. It happens every day, in all walks of life, right here in my Hometown.

I confess. I've been guilty. I've always been concerned about what my friends and neighbors would think if I made a concentrated stand on an issue.

But, you know? That becomes very tiring and stressful; to feel one way and act in another. I'm tired of being a pleaser when I know in my heart that God has a better way.

The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

I have wasted most of life being a pleaser to people; trying to be all things to all people. With the years I have remaining, my desire is to be a pleaser to God.

peace to your household....