So, some of Jesus' commands sound really great, don't they? I mean, when He told His disciples to do unto others what you would have them do to you, I figured that was a winner. I'd love people to do that for me. And the one where He said that whatever we did to the least of these we did to Him? That was a wonderful idea. There's a reason He's still quoted today. These are great ideas. And to top it all off, He died for me. That means that I really love Him and want to listen to and act out what He said. I thought.
I'd love to do things for the least of these, wouldn't I? I'd love to give Jesus some clothes or food or walk with Him an extra mile or give Him my cloak. He is totally worth that, right? Then why does He keep showing up in such frustrating disguises? He came the other day in a guy at my door telling me he was hungry but not accepting the rice and lentils I offered. He wanted money instead. He came another time as a person who charged me twice the normal price because I didn't know any better. He came as the lady who always borrows things and never returns them. He came as a kid to my son's birthday party who went home with the candy meant for 2 other families. He came as a repairman wanting a bribe to do the job he was already paid to do. He came as some guys staring me down the block and making me feel uncomfortable . . . again.
It's all well and good for Him to come and I want to serve Him when He shows up, but these people? Really? Why not a sweet, old lady who wants to sit and drink tea with me? Or a young mother who wants a bottle for her baby and nothing more? Or someone who would respect my boundaries? Or someone with my sense of right and wrong? The problem is that when we're trying to serve Jesus, He comes as people. And, to top it all off, I'm people, too! I lose my patience. I get jaded after being scammed one too many times. I get frustrated at the constant inconveniences in 'my life.' Did I mean what I said when I told God He could have my life, or did I just mean that He could have my life if it was convenient for me? Or worked the way I expected it to?
When we seek to really do the things Jesus talked about, it turns out a lot more messy than we'd planned. It sounded so good in theory. I keep going back to it, but it's sure a good thing that His plan number one is still grace. In my imperfection, I'll never love His imperfect kids. But He will! And in my reliance on Him, maybe, just maybe, I'll get it right sometimes. I might just see Him peeking through those eyes. I might just hear Him in the words of that person asking for my help. Even if it's disingenuous. Even if it's hard. Even if it's messy. Here's hoping . . .
I'd love to do things for the least of these, wouldn't I? I'd love to give Jesus some clothes or food or walk with Him an extra mile or give Him my cloak. He is totally worth that, right? Then why does He keep showing up in such frustrating disguises? He came the other day in a guy at my door telling me he was hungry but not accepting the rice and lentils I offered. He wanted money instead. He came another time as a person who charged me twice the normal price because I didn't know any better. He came as the lady who always borrows things and never returns them. He came as a kid to my son's birthday party who went home with the candy meant for 2 other families. He came as a repairman wanting a bribe to do the job he was already paid to do. He came as some guys staring me down the block and making me feel uncomfortable . . . again.
It's all well and good for Him to come and I want to serve Him when He shows up, but these people? Really? Why not a sweet, old lady who wants to sit and drink tea with me? Or a young mother who wants a bottle for her baby and nothing more? Or someone who would respect my boundaries? Or someone with my sense of right and wrong? The problem is that when we're trying to serve Jesus, He comes as people. And, to top it all off, I'm people, too! I lose my patience. I get jaded after being scammed one too many times. I get frustrated at the constant inconveniences in 'my life.' Did I mean what I said when I told God He could have my life, or did I just mean that He could have my life if it was convenient for me? Or worked the way I expected it to?
When we seek to really do the things Jesus talked about, it turns out a lot more messy than we'd planned. It sounded so good in theory. I keep going back to it, but it's sure a good thing that His plan number one is still grace. In my imperfection, I'll never love His imperfect kids. But He will! And in my reliance on Him, maybe, just maybe, I'll get it right sometimes. I might just see Him peeking through those eyes. I might just hear Him in the words of that person asking for my help. Even if it's disingenuous. Even if it's hard. Even if it's messy. Here's hoping . . .
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