Saturday, August 8, 2009

Mystery man revealed.

Who is this Jesus we proclaim?

He's the epitome of selfless sacrificial love.

So, if I'm living my life in pursuit of Him, that changes everything, right?

It's this crazy love that hurts like hell to give because it calls you to die.
It means decisions that feel like death, it means love that gives without taking or asking or expecting.

He says crazy things like, "return good for evil" and "love your enemies."

Yet, how often are His words twisted to become justification for our own selfish causes?

Often, we're willing to "selflessly love" as long as it doesn't require any real sacrifice. Love's grand until it requires giving up luxuries or comforts.

I'm angry.

Why am I - an unmarried 22 year old college student - the only one considering taking in a 16 month old child to keep him from being lost to the foster care system? ...
More importantly, why are there so many more capable, qualified, stable couples who proclaim Jesus that aren't willing to give it a second thought???

If any one of the mega churches in Orlando would take on the issue of homelessness in a serious, selfless way, it'd be solved.

But instead, we go out and put band-aids on a world that's bleeding to death, say we're making a difference, and watch them die.

Instead of bringing them into our homes and giving of ourselves - our time, money, resources, and lives - we look at a dying world and make excuses for why we can't help.

That is not the Jesus I see when I encounter the Gospel.

But that's the Jesus we see throughout this world.

A man who solves your problems, wants you to be happy, and donate to charity - if you can afford it.

In the Gospel - He requires you to give your entire life everyday if you're going to follow Him.

Let's do it, people.

Let's live our lives differently in light of this Gospel we're called to.

This life is worth living when we choose to lay it down.