I’ll be the first to admit that I am concerned daily with so many petty little things. It is so easy to be lulled into the conformist and consumerist socioeconomic structure of modern day developed nations, one that capitalizes on our endless obsession with accumulation and self-promotion. We find security in so-called “achievement” and operate on a merciless performance mentality, as if performance will earn us love. But one accident or strain of sickness quickly dismisses all that as foolishness and the ineffectiveness of those functional saviors is quickly apparent for all to see. I am not trying to harp on others with self-righteous indignation as if I am immune to all these thought patterns. I am vulnerable to the temptations of these worldly distractions, as they continue to beckon me to trust in them, to find security and rest in them. But I am writing about this because this season, to be honest, I’ve come across several people whom I care about who’ve had to walk through some pretty tough stuff. And the fleeting nature of life, our frail mortality, had just really come to the forefront. I saw this as the Lord asking me, “are you actually loving on the people around you?” and “now what really matters?” He’s reminding me to trust in Him for security and to remember his simple commandment to love thy neighbor. He’s reminding me to see through the crap and politicking of this world.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1
I’ve really been challenged. This is what we are here on earth for, and this commandment is relevant wherever I am. I don’t need to be out on the mission field to do this. In fact, if I don’t love those around me in my immediate vicinity, what good would I be halfway around the globe? I need a greater capacity for love. And people whether here or out on the mission field, absolutely need the gospel. It’s essential and there’s no time to waste. I don’t mean to sound melodramatic with writing this. In fact, I had an earlier draft about this that I discarded, thinking it was too personal, but when I sat back down to write – this same message came out. These thoughts simply reflect where I am at spiritually. I really need the Lord to increase my capacity to love and to grasp the urgency of sharing the gospel.
