Loving and coming to the table, as you are. What a biggie.
I say I am all about everyone coming to the table as you are yet I have trouble loving others as they are. Let’s piece this apart for a second.
It is said come to the table as you are, there are actually around 22 verses saying so in the bible. Clearly God means it! BUT he doesn’t say stay as you are. Once you come and repent and turn away from your sin, you will be changed, because God is working in you.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” Revelation 22:17
“Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:2
“God doesn’t want something from us, He simply wants us.” – C.S. Lewis (wowowow I love this quote, such a goodie!!!)
I am to love as Jesus loves, each and every part of everyone, despite their flaws that my eyes pick out to see. I also pick out which part of people to love, and which part to be annoyed by. Or try to turn them into someone that is easier to Love.
“What are you doing Kelly girl? You are drowning in an ocean of grace that I have gifted you with, yet you are contemplating whether those around deserve even a sprinkle of grace?” – What Jesus is saying to me
Well ok then Pops I get it, I get it. Jesus loved everyone, every. single. piece of them. In His eyes we are not flawed. We are simply children of the King. Loved so deeply just as we are. All of our baggage.
I am sure that I annoy Christ on the daily, “Kelly girl get your mind in check” Is what I think goes on in His mind BUT really it’s probably something more like “Kelly see that, learn from it, and move on because I have forgiven you. I will continue to forgive you. I will continue to love every part of you.”
I am so undeserving of this immense amount of love. Knowing that the Lord lathers me in love as undeserving as I am, I should be able to lather others in love as undeserving as I THINK they are. You see, my eyes are foggy, they see flaws, when I start to see others through the Lords eyes, lets call them the truth spectacles. When I put on the truth spectacles my vision is made clear. I am able to love those as they are, flaws and all (even the most cringe-worthy moments I need to love and sprinkle grace upon)
So if I am going to come to the table as I am, all my flaws, baggage and everything, then I need to check that baggage over to the Lord. Give it all to him so I can be set free of it. Then from that same table where I expect those sitting around it to love me as I am, love me as the Lord loves. Then I need to love my brothers and sisters as they are. All of them. Every part of them.
Now, brothers and sisters, come as you are. Check your baggage, you are forgiven. Let’s share and rejoice in the grace and love we are so privileged to be swimming in. Love someone a little extra today. Shed some grace on that coworker that sometimes makes your hair turn grey. Show them how deeply you love them because of how deeply the Lord loves them.
Love as Jesus loves.
Not saying this will be a walk in the park, rainbows, sunshine and lollipops. It will be a challenge. But I promise it will be a rewarding one. I am myself starting to see and the rewards. It is quite a doozie amount actually from just learning to love fully.
Joyfully,
Kell
