HAPPY MONDAY!
Recent events got me thinking about today’s word-of-the-week…
AGREE
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all agree on every issue?
Sadly, The Good Ship Lollipop hasn’t sailed down my street recently and I haven’t taken up residence in Fantasyland. Since I don’t live in a bubble, I’m going to encounter people with whom I disagree.
In fact, I’d argue it’s my job to do exactly that, because that’s what Jesus did. He made a point of hanging out with the very people the hyper-religious types avoided. He went to their homes, attended their parties, ate their food…and asked us to follow Him.
Do you think He entered a house and started by saying something like “I want you to know I hate your sinful lifestyle and I’m only here because it’s my duty”? Do you think He felt like He was lowering His standards? Did He send someone else because He didn’t want to associate with some particular class of sinner?
I think He hung out with people because He loved them. He wasn’t worried that the neighborhood (or the country) might lose God’s favor because He honored, reached out to, respected another human being.
Jesus said it’s easy to love those who love you in return. He called us to do the hard thing, to love and serve those who aren’t so easy to love. (Luke 6)
I won’t speak for you. I think others see my faith in how I respond to those with whom I disagree. Honestly, I miss the mark a lot and I’m sorry for that.
I’m trying. I want them to see Jesus.
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Probably the hardest thing to do is to love those who aren’t so easy to love. Just recently, I have noticed a lot of ‘fake’ Christians, and I am finding this troublesome. I see people who speak of the Lord, and play it out as if they are devoted to Him. However- these very same people are the ones who stab us in the back, speak ill of others in need, or gossip.
How do I cope with these types of people?
Hey Angie…The trouble with people is I have to deal with people, and they’re all messed up, just like me. I’m not so easy to love, either, and Jesus accepts me as I am. I do my best to remember that when I want to judge someone else. And then apologize when I mess up.