Uncommon Love

Last night, as I occasionally do, I was going over some of my old church notes. I have to admit that it was, in the moment, more for nostalgia than for study. As I poured over dozens of hand written pages, I could almost remember the moment in which I wrote them. There were funny antidotes my pastor gave and dozens of scripture reference. Of course there were doodles and drawings in the margins of my note book as well. I was reading some of the old notes to my husband that I thought were applicable to a particular situation that we are going through, when I became fixated on this one particular note.

Now, our pastor was awesome. Going to church was an amazing experience under his leadership because every Sunday service was filled with impassioned worship, genuine people, and relevant word. He was clever and entertaining; and when it came to the Holy Spirit, he was serious and obedient. That’s why when I read this note, I could immediately remember his heart behind the message and the seriousness with which it was said. I wrote,

“The problem is we don’t see a dead and dying world- we see a world that needs a bath. We see people for their value and not for their lack. When we love something/ someone, we see the value in it.”

In a gist, he was saying that we have become a people who, unlike Christ, are respecters’ of people based on the outside. A few years ago, Todd Agnew came out with a song “My Jesus” that included the lyrics, “‘Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church/ The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet.”

Wow, is that who we really are? Have we as Christians become so numb to truly loving people that we would miss Jesus because He doesn’t look pretty? Jesus didn’t drive a Mercedes.  He walked everywhere so He could be in constant connection to God’s most precious creation, His people. Jesus didn’t wear designer clothes made of the finest material because He knew fulfilling His purpose would cause Him to get dirty and messy. Jesus did not associate with “holy” people. He befriended the people with no friends; the person who’s reputation preceded them in a most negative way. We are called to be like Christ, and Christ was a servant before He was a King.

People are God’s most precious commodity. Why do we cringe when the homeless guy decides he wants to sit next to us in church (I’m just as guilty)? Is his odor so offensive that he is unlovable? Is he too dirty to worship the Lord next to me? Shouldn’t we be more leery of the guy in front of us with the Armani suit that we know has been cheating on his wife? There needs to be a mental shift here, and it needs to start with me.

When we begin to see people the way Christ does, our blinders come off and we can remember that we are all the same, sinners saved by Grace. Don’t forget that we do entertain angels. What would your angel report back? I encourage you, if you never have before, go volunteer at a homeless shelter. You will see for the most part the people are so appreciative that another human being isn’t turning their nose up at them, but willing to serve the “least of these.” You become a picture of Christ, and isn’t that what we truly want anyway?

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 25:40 (NCV)

            “Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.’”

Matthew 5: 3 (NCV)

            “They are blessed who realize their spiritual poverty, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”

Matthew 6:1 (NCV)

            “Be careful! When you do good things, don’t do them in front of people to be seen by them. If you do that, you will have reward from your Father in heaven.”

Romans 12:13 (NCV)

            Share with God’s people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your home.

Galatians 6:10 (NCV)

            When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.

Thought Builder:

When was the last time you did something for someone outside of your immediate family?

How can we change one day in our routine to involve ministering to others?

Why is it easier, we think, to respect someone who looks like they have it all together?

Have you ever been deceived by the way someone looked?

How can we teach our children to be generous givers, in time, money and faith?

Love LIFE (Love Is ForEver):

Our spouses are our greatest commodity in life. Sometimes when we get into a routine, we forget that our spouses exist. Is there anything you can do for them today that would involve unselfish love on your part?