Title: Loving People Just Because They Exist…
GutterRat - May 22, 2008 12:39 AM (GMT)
In the part of the book “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller that I’m reading right now - he is telling about how his church first got started. At this part of the story his pastor, Rick, had been to a pastor conference and was very convicted by a speaker that said the church had lost touch with people who didn’t know about Jesus.
| QUOTE |
| “Rick said he was very convicted about this and asked us if we thought we needed to repent and start loving people who were very different from us. We all told him yes, we did, but I don’t think any of us knew what that meant. Rick said he thought it meant we should live missional lives, that we should intentionally befriend people who are different from us. I didn’t like the sound of that, to be honest. I didn’t want to befriend somebody just to trik them into going to church. Rick said that was not what he was talking about. He said he was talking about loving people just because they exist - homeless people and Gothic people and gays and fruit nuts. And then i liked the sound of it. I liked the idea of loving people just to love them, not to get them to come to church. So we started praying every week that God would teach us to live misional lives, to notice people who needed to be loved.” Blue Like Jazz Pg 135 |
That’s a prayer I need to be praying. It’s a prayer we all need to be praying. “Love people just because they exist…” Not because I want to get into heaven - not because I can put another notch on the bed post for "lives saved", not for bragging rights, not for ego, not for my pride, not for a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket - but because they exist!
Is it possible for you? that means loving the homosexual trying to get married - loving the girl that had the abortion - not just once - but 3 times or more. That means loving the democrat who stands for everything you don't. The murderer, the rapist, the gang banger, the drug dealer, the alcoholic father, the abusive mother, the punk rocker, the gansta rapper, the heavy metal head banger, and yes - even those kids in the back row at church that do nothing but talk and giggle all during the service. Genuine love. Not that fake Christian love that says, "I love you because God told me to, but I don't agree with anything you say." as you walk away with "righteous anger" smoking from your ears.
Is it possible for you?
andiesmama - May 22, 2008 02:26 AM (GMT)
It should be. But I can honestly say it's not. How are we supposed to love a child molester? A rapist? etc etc etc
But I see his point. And I need to add that to my ever-expanding list of things I need to work on. :)
hope4today - May 22, 2008 07:52 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| He said he was talking about loving people just because they exist - homeless people and Gothic people and gays and fruit nuts. And then i liked the sound of it. I liked the idea of loving people just to love them, not to get them to come to church. |
This is precisely what God has been talking the church I attend about and that is what we are endeavouring to live out. Not as a means to an end, to 'get' them to church but just to love them in Jesus name regardless of the outcome.
| QUOTE |
How are we supposed to love a child molester? A rapist? etc etc etc |
Actually that is something that I think I can do. It's possible that I may end up working with some of these people in helping to bring resolution or forgiveness or whatever is needed for victims and for them. And to work with perpetrators in a counselling role, the first requirement is not to have a judgemental heart toward them. But I think it is a gift and certainly not of myself.
Keneke - May 22, 2008 03:35 PM (GMT)
Honestly? I *think* it's possible and it's something we should aim for.
BTW, I didnt like Blue Like Jazz. So far I'm the only one I know who didn't care for it :) Have you read his other books?
Stringaling - May 22, 2008 04:52 PM (GMT)
It is a hard thing to do. Especially when some of their behaviors may disgust us (rape, molestation, etc..)
We need to learn to look at others the way God sees them. They are created in his image just as we are and we need learn to see the little bit of God's presence that is there, however minute. When we can learn to see that, then we will know how to truly love.
andiesmama - May 22, 2008 05:01 PM (GMT)
hmmmmm........lots to think about.
GutterRat - May 22, 2008 11:41 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Keneke @ May 22 2008, 09:35 AM) |
Honestly? I *think* it's possible and it's something we should aim for.
BTW, I didnt like Blue Like Jazz. So far I'm the only one I know who didn't care for it :) Have you read his other books? |
This is the first one of his that I've read. So far, I'm liking it.
What didn't you like about it?
At the moment I'm reading several books:
Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll
"Lord Save Us From Your Followers" by Dan Merchant
And I'm re-reading
The Gutter: Where Life Was Meant To Be Lived by Craig Gross from
XXX Church