It is both exhilarating and a little sad too when I realize how I find myself needing to learn how to love people. Kent Burgess shared some wonderful thoughts on his blog and then pointed to a comment by Kirk that really jarred my usual paradigm.
Kirk talks about his encounter with a couple of Mormon missionaries and how he was compelled to respond differently.
What’s a little sad to me here is the fact that I know playing the “My way is the right way” scripture game is ineffective…I still have trouble seeing what Living Loved looks like. Oh- I’m not talking about distributing blankets to the homeless or sending shoes to the poor in Africa. That stuff’s pretty easy to do.
I’ve been well versed in the “Faithful are the wounds” Scripture. I know the proper Scriptures to admonish and exhort the wayward and unbelieving….but I’ve missed the forest through the trees. It’s really all about love. Laying down my agenda and my opinions. The stuff that’s much harder than helping the poor.
This year I want to challenge my same ole same ole responses to people who believe differently than I do. If they are pro choice—try to understand their perspective. Perhaps they’ve see too many unwanted children that have been abused and they see no other alternative. If they are homosexual—to treat them with respect and kindness.
I feel ashamed that as Christians we have been more identified by our beliefs and agendas than by our love for the world. And that I even have to ask myself what does love look like? (And I’m not referring to quoting Scripture.)
But yet I am full of hope and great enthusiasm when I see/hear about folks like Kirk who are unleashing the love of God….and it’s really quite simple.
Filed under: Spirituality, church, church life | Tagged: church life, living loved
