Obviously, there will be much to say about this weekend and the things God spoke to us. Thanks to Benji for great worship and leading us into an awesome time of reflection and opening up, and basically just for loving his youth group and his leadership. Thanks to Dave for being open to what God wanted him to say and for being a willing mouthpiece. And thanks to Mike and Teresa for organizing the trip and being willing servants the whole time.
But before I delve into the heart of the weekend (future posts, possibly), I have to mention the big burden I came away with this weekend. And let me say that I am the "chief of sinners" on this one.
We have to start treating each other the same. We are a great and loving family but sometimes we have fun at the expense of others. I only have to say "bingo" and "personal space" for all of you to know what I'm talking about. Please don't think I'm fussing, I'm only sharing something that God has hit me with.
I saw all weekend long how we love our inside jokes. I do, too. It's a family, clique-ish, bonding thing. It gives us something to talk about when we want to have a little fun. Nothing wrong with fun. But if we go to extremes to have it, then it's time to back off and take a little introspective time.
What if we really started appreciating a touchy-feely person instead of acting like they have the plague? The truth is there is no inappropriate motivation behind their actions. I can say that with 100% confidence. Their ways are just different. The person I'm referring to actually loves us more than we love each other and would go to any lengths necessary just to make sure we are comfortable and happy. We are much more touchy-feely with each other than this person has ever been, we just limit our disgust to anyone outside the circle of "cool and well-liked" people. Real mature, huh? And we probably do it just to distract from our own insecurities about physical contact with people. That's not the Jesus kind of love and it's nowhere close to real family. I apologize for my part in this, and it's been a big part.
If any of us would be real about it, we would have to admit that we don't love on the scale that this person does. The tough question is, we should, but do we want to?
And what about the different ones? The special ones who have quirky personalities and less-than-acceptable social skills? Is it really a big deal if someone we are around five times a week closes in on us and makes us feel uncomfortable? She's just trying to be a part of the group, the group that we have made exclusive to only the ones we deem acceptable. Maybe if we opened up to the ones we have made outcasts, they would be more comfortable around us, thus making us more comfortable around them. Life hasn't been as smooth and easy for everyone like it has been for some of us. Maybe we should show our thanks to God by helping to put some joy into the life of someone who needs some. The truth is, she loves nothing more than coming to church and hanging with all of us. And all we do is duck and dodge, and crack jokes behind her back. That's not exactly "doing to the least of these." (see Matthew 25:42-45)
It's not love if it's selective. That's how the world loves and we want no part of that.
God wants something more from us. The words God spoke to us this weekend should have us all stopping to consider our spiritual state and how well we show Him to the world. But if our own family, the ones we worship and pray with, the ones we teach and learn from, if they can't see Jesus' love in us, then the world won't see it.
If you've made it this far and don't hate me, let me assure you that I'm the first and greatest offender in both of these situations. I have preached love on this blog more times than I can count. I have tried to be good to, and for, each of you because I care deeply about you. I've busted my rear-end and lost days and weeks of sleep struggling with God about how to restore broken relationships with you. But I haven't loved the others that Jesus has blessed my life with. I've been selective in who I choose to love. That's wrong, y'all.
So I am sorry for the way I've acted. There is no excuse for it. I sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness for leading you by example into these actions and, frankly, this sin. We will never be all that God wants us to be if we call ourselves something that we're not.
Maybe you're not a guilty party in this. That's great. But please take some time and talk to God about it. Put it before Him and ask Him how He feels about it. This weekend was about being real. That's actually just a synonym for being Christ-like.
I love you all. If you want to talk more about this or if I've made you mad and you want to blast me, you can call me.
I hope you have a great week.
But before I delve into the heart of the weekend (future posts, possibly), I have to mention the big burden I came away with this weekend. And let me say that I am the "chief of sinners" on this one.
We have to start treating each other the same. We are a great and loving family but sometimes we have fun at the expense of others. I only have to say "bingo" and "personal space" for all of you to know what I'm talking about. Please don't think I'm fussing, I'm only sharing something that God has hit me with.
I saw all weekend long how we love our inside jokes. I do, too. It's a family, clique-ish, bonding thing. It gives us something to talk about when we want to have a little fun. Nothing wrong with fun. But if we go to extremes to have it, then it's time to back off and take a little introspective time.
What if we really started appreciating a touchy-feely person instead of acting like they have the plague? The truth is there is no inappropriate motivation behind their actions. I can say that with 100% confidence. Their ways are just different. The person I'm referring to actually loves us more than we love each other and would go to any lengths necessary just to make sure we are comfortable and happy. We are much more touchy-feely with each other than this person has ever been, we just limit our disgust to anyone outside the circle of "cool and well-liked" people. Real mature, huh? And we probably do it just to distract from our own insecurities about physical contact with people. That's not the Jesus kind of love and it's nowhere close to real family. I apologize for my part in this, and it's been a big part.
If any of us would be real about it, we would have to admit that we don't love on the scale that this person does. The tough question is, we should, but do we want to?
And what about the different ones? The special ones who have quirky personalities and less-than-acceptable social skills? Is it really a big deal if someone we are around five times a week closes in on us and makes us feel uncomfortable? She's just trying to be a part of the group, the group that we have made exclusive to only the ones we deem acceptable. Maybe if we opened up to the ones we have made outcasts, they would be more comfortable around us, thus making us more comfortable around them. Life hasn't been as smooth and easy for everyone like it has been for some of us. Maybe we should show our thanks to God by helping to put some joy into the life of someone who needs some. The truth is, she loves nothing more than coming to church and hanging with all of us. And all we do is duck and dodge, and crack jokes behind her back. That's not exactly "doing to the least of these." (see Matthew 25:42-45)
It's not love if it's selective. That's how the world loves and we want no part of that.
God wants something more from us. The words God spoke to us this weekend should have us all stopping to consider our spiritual state and how well we show Him to the world. But if our own family, the ones we worship and pray with, the ones we teach and learn from, if they can't see Jesus' love in us, then the world won't see it.
If you've made it this far and don't hate me, let me assure you that I'm the first and greatest offender in both of these situations. I have preached love on this blog more times than I can count. I have tried to be good to, and for, each of you because I care deeply about you. I've busted my rear-end and lost days and weeks of sleep struggling with God about how to restore broken relationships with you. But I haven't loved the others that Jesus has blessed my life with. I've been selective in who I choose to love. That's wrong, y'all.
So I am sorry for the way I've acted. There is no excuse for it. I sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness for leading you by example into these actions and, frankly, this sin. We will never be all that God wants us to be if we call ourselves something that we're not.
Maybe you're not a guilty party in this. That's great. But please take some time and talk to God about it. Put it before Him and ask Him how He feels about it. This weekend was about being real. That's actually just a synonym for being Christ-like.
I love you all. If you want to talk more about this or if I've made you mad and you want to blast me, you can call me.
I hope you have a great week.
