Okay, so maybe the title is a little harsh.
But really just earlier this summer my little brother and I were talking about some stuff he'd read in the news. He told me about a man who had become so angry over something that he literally threw a baby. That's insane! And so horrible. My initial response was to state "I hate people" and then change the subject because sometimes what is in the news is just so sickening. But that statement stuck with me all week long. It's a very bold thing to say. I hate people. Such strong language. And how can I, as a Christian, say something like that?
Later that week I went to pick up a bridesmaid dress I was having altered for my best friend's wedding. This adorable and outwardly joyful woman had been working so hard for weeks on making everything just perfect for me. As I sat in her living room we began talking and she told me she was leaving for Costa Rica to visit her family later this summer. This led to more conversation of packing and traveling and ultimately led to me telling her about the World Race. She lit up and was genuinely so excited for me! It's so fun when I meet people who truly understand why I am doing something like this. People who get it and have a heart for the lost and broken people around the world just as I do. She ended up giving me quite the discount on my alterations and told me to use the rest of they money toward my trip. I was shocked and humbled and so very thankful for her kind-hearted generosity.
As I drove away from her house that day I found myself smiling and saying, "Man, I love people."
But, wait. Just a few short days before hadn't I made the statement "I hate people" and meant it?
I continued to drive silently down the road baffled by the hypocrisy of the two statements that I was equally so sure about. Then it hit me. I do hate people, but I love Jesus.
Aha! That's it! People are terrible. They are greedy, impatient, selfish – just down right sinful in every way. And I'm one of them. How could anyone love that? Oh yeah, because of Jesus.
He is the only reason I am capable of loving the people around me. It's seeing Him at work within the lives of the people around me that fuels me to serve. The goodness I see in people is really just Christ Jesus himself.
So take a look around. Sin and brokenness are everywhere. People are everywhere. But guess what that means…
Jesus is everywhere.
