Once inside the trolley, I realized it was not a tourist ride. It was a public transportation trip through the inner ghettos. As people poured in, I noticed them. I noticed the torn up pants. The week-old dirt. I noticed the tattoos. The Narcotics Anonymous recovery backpacks. I noticed the teeth grill of gold and the huge smile at me. The family community feel. The waves hello. The guy exiting the bus saying, “Be blessed you all! Keep faith today.”
I also noticed I had love. For them. I could see the reality of their life. Instead of being stuck in my own world, avoiding others’ hardships, I was struck face-to-face with people’s real pain, history, tears, hopes, dreams and difficulties of escaping poverty.
How was I ever so oblivious? Oblivious not only to poverty, but to emotional hardships, to anger, to marital issues, to health concerns, to people needing help…to loving ones who feel like lesser people because no one sees them?
Jesus saw the lesser man and raised him up to be a greater man. May I do the same.
To see the reality of mankind, we must enter into their reality. We must confront what we avoid confronting. It’s the only way.
So, I’ve asked God, what does it look to really love?
To love we:
– Seek to understand the reality of the hardship
– Allow ourselves to feel their feelings for a moment
– Remember how we ourselves felt those painful feelings at one time or another
– Pray for understanding on how to fill gaps of pain
– Let God do the saving
– Submit to His leading
– Fill the gap by seeing through His small call to step out
No person is too far gone. No pain is too far beyond God’s ability. No soul is one He doesn’t care for. No child is left behind.
What would it look like for you to begin seeing what you avoid seeing, feeling, or relating to? What does it look like for you to step out of the world you live in and into the one you’re cynical of, apathetic to and uninvolved in?
That’s what Jesus did. He went to the Samarians. He touched the plagued. He loved the untouchables.
Jesus never permitted cynicism to rule,
even though He most certainly could have.
Jesus knew it is love heals;
Love is the complete fulfillment of all He came for.
And as Jesus puts it:
Love is our one cause and our only cause.
May we never forgo love.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Pet. 4:8
Love goes. Heals. Speaks. Breaks divides. Understands. Sacrifices time and treasure. Calls people somewhere new. Lays down old stereotypes. Leans not on its own understanding or inclinations. Cares not if people see it work. Is governed by a mind of the Spirit. Brings life. Always. Continually. Eternally.
What would it look like for you to step out in love today? Ask God. Write it your answer here: ___________
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Yes, the Kingdom of God is full of surprises. When we encounter those who are visibly “poor in spirit” or lacking in all the trappings of righteousness that identify them as “one of us,” we begin to discover what Jesus meant when he told us to love.
Kelly, I just absolutely LOVE this post!!! This goes hand in hand with the post I just wrote about talking to someone going through infertility!!! “May we seek to UNDERSTAND before we form OPINIONS.” Soooo good!!!! I would had “May we seek to understand before we speak.” as well!!! Thank you for this post!
Challenging word today. The fear of stepping out is not from God. I’ve been preaching that to myself this week and God is using you to confirm it in my life. Thank you. laurensparks.net
Yes, let our lives speak love. Let us follow God’s example and love well. Maree
Excellent post.We should all be asking people how we can pray for them.
Great post Kelly & so glad God enabled you to meet His challenge…
I am at the other end of this I have been at the front lines of fighting the battle in love on the battlefield for over 35 years & loved it & loved every person I counseled but now I need to be kind to myself in God…Being still, letting go & relaxing in God & knowing He is God… As I now have chronic health issues… The journey has been long & difficult but very rewarding along the way, now it is time to rest for me, refresh & restore. Giving out His love in this cyberspace : D
Remember you’re always welcome to drop by for a cuppa anytime…
Jennifer
Oh Kelly, this is so good. How often have I not sought to understand before forming opinions. ??? more times than I would care to admit. But I love this gentle reminder. thank you and Thanks for the weekly linkup and encouragement. I am late in commenting this week, it has been a busy one. 🙂 Have an awesome weekend
I know I need to pick up the phone and call people more often. I hate using the phone, but I need to do a better job of staying in touch!
Hey Kelly,
Thank you so much for sharing those valuable content above. God is good all the time 🙂 All the time God is good. Have an awesome weekends!
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