Unloveable?

Leonardo Da Vinci, just before he started work on his "Last Supper" had a violent argument with a fellow painter. Leonardo was so bitter that he determined to paint the face of his enemy, the other artist, into the face of Judas, and thus take his revenge by handing the man down in infamy and scorn to succeeding generations. The face of Judas was, therefore, one of the first he finished. And everyone could easily recognize it as the face of the painter with whom he had fought with.

But when he came to paint the face of Christ, he could make no progress. Something seemed to be baffling him, holding him back, frustrating his best efforts. Finally he came to the conclusion that the thing that was frustrating him was that he had painted the face of his enemy onto the face of Judas. He painted out the face of Judas and was then able to resume his work on the face of Jesus and this time did it with the success that the ages have acclaimed.

Sometimes negative feelings can hold us back from where we desire to be in life. Like Leonardo, maybe it’s the spirit of revenge... or perhaps it’s anger, jealousy, or spitefulness. God’s plan for our lives doesn’t revolve around any of these. In fact, those reactions that we feel entitled to actually get in the way of our obedience toward Him... and His blessing on our lives. God has a much better idea...

Love others

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:36-40

The second part of the verse unlocks a clue as to how to be obedient. Loving others. This is not a suggestion or an option. If we are Christ-followers we are told to love those that He has placed around us. Friends... enemies... those that encourage AND those that tear us down. Not an easy task... but one that we must figure out to be obedient. How do we do that? How can we love those that we don’t even like?

1) Recognize that our lack of love for them is sin. Confess it... and ask for God to remind us of how He loves us (even in our broken and sinful condition). We tend to expect God’s love but struggle to pass it along to others.

2) Choose not to be controlled by feelings. You can’t force yourself to feel love... but you can CHOOSE to love in spite of the negative feelings. It’s will over want. (Matt. 5:43-44)

3) Trust God to help you love them. What we cannot do ourselves... the Holy Spirit can do within us. God’s word says to do it... so it can’t be impossible. We can count on God to provide the strength and will we’ll need to love even the most unloveable. 


4) Pray for them... not that they’ll change... but that God would help you see them differently. Pray for their success...that they would grow and thrive... that God would bless them. He may not change them but the exercise will DEFINITELY change you.

Today’s devotional is the type that many will dismiss as impossible. Or unfair. It just doesn’t seem right to have to love someone who treats us poorly or gives us no love in return. But remember, God’s thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8). He died for the world. Everyone. Not just the nice... or the semi-perfect... or the put together... He sacrificed Himself for everyone. There will be people in this world that you might not like to be around... but they can be loved because they are His creation too. God loves them just as much as He loves you.

Spend a few minutes and take some inventory. Are there people you have labelled as unloveable? Pray for them today. Not that God would change them... but that He would give you some fresh insight... a renewed heart... a different way of seeing the world. Your life will never be the same. When we obediently love God and love His creation... we are blessed... and we take steps toward our God potential.

Loving Not Judging

"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, `Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye, then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye."  1 Samuel 16:7

This morning you woke up and the thoughts hit you.  Your past...your responsibilities...your successes...your failures...your future... all of these thoughts probably raced through your mind before you took your first sip of coffee.  You’ve got stuff on your mind that you don’t know what to do with.  You may feel imperfect, challenged, indifferent... or maybe it’s jubilant, elated, and hopeful.

Either way... you are you.  The end result of years of choices.

You know what... you aren’t alone.  Millions of people open their eyes each morning with the same thoughts, the same hang-ups, the same stresses, and the same circumstances.  They may snap at you at the grocery store...or cut in front of you in line.  They may say your work is no good... or your best is not good enough.  They may say your God isn’t able... or may not believe in your God at all.

But they are just like you.  Created by a loving and caring Lord.  His masterpiece.  

They are in need of understanding.  They have a past...  just like you.

They are in need of compassion.  Nobody has told them that Jesus loves them lately.

They are in need of hope.  Their world is as cynical as yours sometimes.

They are in need of love.  Not judgment.

Jesus said “You are the light of the world...” (Matthew 5:14).

President Woodrow Wilson once said, “The thing to do is to supply light and not heat.”  

Which will you be in someone’s life today?  Light or heat?  Does the world need more understanding or criticism?  Do your co-workers need a supportive ear or a pointed finger?  How about your kids?  How hard are you on yourself?

Today you have a choice.  You can judge others... but the world has a lot of critics.  You can stay neutral... but the world has a lot of people doing nothing.  You can love others...and the world will change for the better.  

And by loving others...you’ll change too.

Care

I found this passage...written by someone who suffered with cancer....

“When I was diagnosed with Cancer:  

My first friend came and expressed his shock by saying, "I can’t believe that you have cancer. I always thought you were so active and healthy." He left and I felt alienated and somehow very "different."

My second friend came and brought me information about different treatments being used for cancer. She said "Whatever you do, don’t take chemotherapy. It’s a poison!"  So she left and I felt scared and confused.

My third friend came and tried to answer my "whys?" with the statement "Perhaps God is disciplining you for some sin in your life?"  He left and I felt guilty.

My fourth friend came and told me, "If your faith is just great enough God will heal you." She left and I felt my faith must be inadequate.

My fifth friend came and told me to remember that "All things work together for good." He left and I felt angry.

My sixth friend never came at all.  I felt sad and alone.

My seventh friend came and held my hand and said, "I care, I’m here, I want to help you through this."  She left and I felt loved!

-Linda Mae Richardson

God says the same thing to you.

You may not be dealing with cancer today.  But you could still be in need of care.  It might be a broken marriage, a jaded heart, or an empty bank account. 

People will mean well when they try to help.  They’ll use logic, their related past experiences, and researched information.  Some will stick around.  Some won’t.  Even your very best friend in the world can’t do what God does.  

God is different.  He looks past what you’re calling out for and gives you what you need.  He sees your scars and counts the tears that roll down your face...reminding you that He Himself was scarred and wept so that you could ultimately spend your eternity free from pain.  

God is consistent.  His feelings for you don’t change.   You can’t make Him love you more... and He isn’t going to love you less.  You are infinitely flawed and infinitely valuable to Him...and He will never quit on you.  He doesn’t promise you constant sunshine... but He does guarantee His presence in your storms. He won’t leave your bedside.  Feeling alone?  Nothing helping your situation?  Ready to give up?

Don’t you dare. 

If you are going through something today.  Simply stop. Sit somewhere and read through this verse:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

God is telling you something.  Do you hear it?  He is telling you... 

I care.

I’m here.

I want to help you through this.

Grab His hand and never let go.  

Steph and I will be lifting you up in prayer.  

We all hurt

Famed surgeon, Dr. Paul Brand once said, ”In the human body, when an area loses sensory contact with the rest of the body, even when its nourishment system remains intact, that part begins to wither and atrophy. In the vast majority of cases—95 of 100 insensitive [unfeeling] hands I have examined—severe injury or deformation results. The body poorly protects what it does not feel. And in the spiritual Body, also, loss of feeling inevitably leads to atrophy and inner deterioration. So much of the sorrow in the world is due to the selfishness of one living organism that simply does not care when another suffers.”

When a part of the body is neglected… it withers.   That neglect leads to deterioration… collapse… and an utter breakdown in an important part of God’s creation.  

If we’re not careful, we too can become insensitive.  Unfeeling.  Incapable of putting ourselves into the shoes of another.   When we stop feeling the pain of others, our hearts begin to wither.  And that neglect leads to unflinching apathy… and an all out indifference to the plight of those less fortunate.

We can’t forget that Jesus Christ cares about and loves everyone.

Those in your home and those people you don’t think about.  The ones on the streets and the ones in your office.  All matter.  Everyone.  The free man and the prisoner both count under God.

It’s up to us to remember that… and to make sure that no part of the body of Christ falls under neglect.   Why do we conduct services in the prison?  Why do we reach out to those who have made mistakes and are now paying the price behind bars?   Because they matter.  Because their hearts beat and their lungs take in air.  Because in God’s eyes, their sin and our sin is no different.  Because they are a part of the body.

And we won’t let them wither away… 

Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

When one part of the body hurts… we all hurt.  When one is forgotten, it affects us all.  Are you ready to join us as we reach out to those in danger of being neglected?  Will you stand with us as we minister to those in need?  If you are interested in serving on our prison ministry team, let me know in the comments below and we’ll connect you.