Seeing God's hand in young lives...I watched someone close to me befriend someone so sweetly and sacrificially. The child I watched extended friendship to one who might be considered "difficult to love" ~ the insurmountable patience was overwhelming. I was astonished.
If the world could imitate this act of kindness, we could see peace. If God's love ran through us without so many filters, the world would recognize Jesus. Thankful this day for a picture, in real-time, of Christ's patience and sacrificial giving, without a need for recognition or gratitude. It was friendship at its purest. It was walking side-by-side with one who wants a friend but plays in solitaire. I am humbled to witness this act, seemingly so simple, yet impacting another deeply with love.
If it's simple, why do we hate? Why are so opposed to "others" invading our time? Our space? Our homes? On a positive note, we don't mind giving or speeding off to a missions trip; we even find that giving awards or bonus points create an enticing attraction to give. But the flip-side, is clothed in conditions, quite sad to see how shallow we've become. What's in it for me? What's the kick-back? There's always a question...
It's refreshing to see young lives LEAD. I pray that we aren't blinded by their innocence and ignore their voices because of their ages...we might just miss the best pathway to blessing and speaking loudly, without words, LOVE.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Do You Want to be Made Well?
It's been some days since my hands have touched a keyboard other than to type school emails, notifications, responses to parents, etc. It kinda makes me not want to sit with this device on my lap listening to "chill" music...Jack Johnson or Nora Jones but I am compelled to write. Tonight, I find myself recovering from an impactful week. I am using that word even if auto-correct says it's not official. It seems to make my point.
A week of wrestling why we as a society choose to do things we do...why do we spend our time criticizing others for they way they are or they way they are not? We spin our wheels in search of what we can complain about, be disappointed in, critical of...a great way to be remembered, huh? A great way to known? Well I am not at peace ~
When I look at Jesus, He made loud noise in the temple once, overturning the disgraceful "face" the people had turned His house into. Mostly, he walked among the people. Those who were throw-aways from their societies or communities. Various reasons those folks didn't "fit" the mold and were cast aside. Still Jesus found the path leading right to their mats, doorsteps or secret hide-aways, off-the-beaten road. He asked the same question many times, "Do you want to be made well?" He had this way about him, a swag of sorts, (yes I am using my teenage vernacular) that could see deeply into the eyes of one he visited. Not only did He see deep within, his voice and the love from His eyes penetrated the deepest, kept-hidden hearts. The question was a tool; captured by this voice of love, the visited had to answer. With the young ruler, the answer was no; he couldn't give up the "stuff" he acquired. It was too valuable; the cost too high. With the woman at the well, she was captivated and couldn't deny her many husbands; served Jesus and went to tell her families. Hagar, fled as servant with little freedom yet birthed a baby to the man who owned her, and became an outcast when jealousy overtook hearts. God met her in a low place, little hope. He wiped her tears and gave her freedom in a different way.
So I question what are we asked? What is required? It doesn't seem that much is required....to love God completely, act in a just way, spread mercy and love beyond measure. Wow. In our society, I witness our answers being closer to those of the young ruler...Yea, benefits of heaven....check. Give stuff away...yes I have some old things to get rid of. Serve....well if I have time. The question remains the same. Our answers have the flavor of that young man...Jesus replied, "it's everything." He turned with his stuff and walked on...Are we so connected to our things, philosophies opinions that we abort the notion that Love trumps all things, Turns away wrath and Heals brokenness?
We speak "church" so beautifully and join committees to solve problems...moving forward in concise, methodical order. Careful to not drop crumbs, overspend, waste...regardless if the need is at hand. It must be flushed through the "correct" channels and heaven forgive us, if it's wasn't budgeted FIRST. I can't resonate that this lifestyle we've perfected, is one that resembles Jesus. It's bound by our opinions and preferences, offering very little room for the unexpected. The unexpected is where Jesus seem to spend his time. Why do we spend our time making sure we aren't surprised?
I think it's the clinched fists syndrome. Not on my watch will someone speak to me that way or get in front of me, I have an entitled place in this line and I will make sure no one gets in my way. This mentality of punishing others through money or preferences because we clinch to ownership. When the dust settles, it's on loan to Us. We are the adopted. We are refugees; those without a place to lay our heads. But we scramble to make the wheel spin, pushing others down so "our" ______ will remain with it's entitled owner.
I wonder if we looked up from our mats, and saw that Jesus is present...asking us the same penetrating question "Do you want to be made well?" What would our answer be? It's vulnerable, yet it's a place filled with grace sufficient for all our needs.
A week of wrestling why we as a society choose to do things we do...why do we spend our time criticizing others for they way they are or they way they are not? We spin our wheels in search of what we can complain about, be disappointed in, critical of...a great way to be remembered, huh? A great way to known? Well I am not at peace ~
When I look at Jesus, He made loud noise in the temple once, overturning the disgraceful "face" the people had turned His house into. Mostly, he walked among the people. Those who were throw-aways from their societies or communities. Various reasons those folks didn't "fit" the mold and were cast aside. Still Jesus found the path leading right to their mats, doorsteps or secret hide-aways, off-the-beaten road. He asked the same question many times, "Do you want to be made well?" He had this way about him, a swag of sorts, (yes I am using my teenage vernacular) that could see deeply into the eyes of one he visited. Not only did He see deep within, his voice and the love from His eyes penetrated the deepest, kept-hidden hearts. The question was a tool; captured by this voice of love, the visited had to answer. With the young ruler, the answer was no; he couldn't give up the "stuff" he acquired. It was too valuable; the cost too high. With the woman at the well, she was captivated and couldn't deny her many husbands; served Jesus and went to tell her families. Hagar, fled as servant with little freedom yet birthed a baby to the man who owned her, and became an outcast when jealousy overtook hearts. God met her in a low place, little hope. He wiped her tears and gave her freedom in a different way.
So I question what are we asked? What is required? It doesn't seem that much is required....to love God completely, act in a just way, spread mercy and love beyond measure. Wow. In our society, I witness our answers being closer to those of the young ruler...Yea, benefits of heaven....check. Give stuff away...yes I have some old things to get rid of. Serve....well if I have time. The question remains the same. Our answers have the flavor of that young man...Jesus replied, "it's everything." He turned with his stuff and walked on...Are we so connected to our things, philosophies opinions that we abort the notion that Love trumps all things, Turns away wrath and Heals brokenness?
We speak "church" so beautifully and join committees to solve problems...moving forward in concise, methodical order. Careful to not drop crumbs, overspend, waste...regardless if the need is at hand. It must be flushed through the "correct" channels and heaven forgive us, if it's wasn't budgeted FIRST. I can't resonate that this lifestyle we've perfected, is one that resembles Jesus. It's bound by our opinions and preferences, offering very little room for the unexpected. The unexpected is where Jesus seem to spend his time. Why do we spend our time making sure we aren't surprised?
I think it's the clinched fists syndrome. Not on my watch will someone speak to me that way or get in front of me, I have an entitled place in this line and I will make sure no one gets in my way. This mentality of punishing others through money or preferences because we clinch to ownership. When the dust settles, it's on loan to Us. We are the adopted. We are refugees; those without a place to lay our heads. But we scramble to make the wheel spin, pushing others down so "our" ______ will remain with it's entitled owner.
I wonder if we looked up from our mats, and saw that Jesus is present...asking us the same penetrating question "Do you want to be made well?" What would our answer be? It's vulnerable, yet it's a place filled with grace sufficient for all our needs.
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