"So.. what are the chances of a guy like you and a girl like me ending up together?" – Lloyd Christmas
We laugh at that (and rightly so… it's a hilarious movie), but don't we ALL feel like that, in some way, towards God? We look at Him and say, what are the chances, God? What are the chances that You will accept me.. even though I've committed adultery, murdered, lied, been promiscuous? Will you love me? Protect me? Provide for me? See my vile self, yet still be smitten with me?
I have been learning about love lately. Jesus' love. The Lord wants me to know what TRUE love looks like. I am in a place of wanting to love people with a pure motive.. not to receive good behavior, or good treatment from them… just.. love them. I don't even know how to word that.
I want to love my teammates well.
At the heart of Jesus' love for His people is sacrifice. He continued to sacrifice his time (John 4:6), sleep (Mark 1:35), His plans (Matt. 26:42), and eventually his life for us (John 19:30). So, what would it look like to sacrifice my time? My sleep? My favorite TV show? My plans? My LIFE for others?
In order for me to love people like Christ loves me I have to practice sacrifice. When I'm tired. When I'm angry. When I'm moody. When I'd rather be doing something else. When I don't like the person. When they are on my nerves. When I have to say the same thing over and over again. ISN'T THIS WHAT JESUS DOES FOR US?! I can think of numerous occasions I've repeated myself to The Lord in prayer, knowing what the answer is. The awesome thing about Jesus is that He's big enough for that. He's big enough for my mood. He's big enough for my questions… and He never gets tired of it.
Here's what I need to realize: Jesus RELENTLESSLY PURSUES those He loves. Why shouldn't I?
What would it look like in your life? Maybe it's answering the phone when you don't feel like talking to a lonely person. Or going out for lunch or dinner with someone who may get on your nerves. Or talking with a widowed neighbor who may or may not know Christ. Try being kind to someone who is rude to you. Hang out with a homeless person. Jesus didn't invest His money… He invested HIMSELF.
I don't know about you guys, but I'm so convicted at how poorly I have communicated Jesus' love to others. Thank you, Lord for revealing the areas I need to grow!
Dear teammates: Please be patient with me as I learn to love. I want to be able to be an overflow of what Christ has done for me. I want you all to know that I am committed to FIGHTING for you and PROTECTING each of your hearts. I AM COMMITTED TO RELENTLESSLY PURSUING YOU!
