People are a funny species. We desire love and acceptance from others, yet we treat them with fear and suspicion. We want their approval, yet we usher criticism. We have changed the 'Golden Rule' to be 'Our Rule' - Do Unto Others As If I Am The Most Important or Do Unto Me As I Would Have You Do Unto Me or Do Unto Others However I Feel Like Doing, among other translations.
Does this selfish mentality actually MAKE us better or more important, any greater or wiser? Does it ease our insecurities, our anxieties? Does it heal our wounds? NO! At the very least, acting for onesself only INCREASES all these feelings! It also creates confusion, chaos, pain for others. Is this really worth the few satisfying moments we may feel when we get what we want, or when we prove someone else wrong?
We live in a society that has blessings confused with material possessions, and peace confused with temporary satisfaction. Our paycheck, what car we drive, how often we win an argument, who has the bigger following on twitter and FB, all of these become confused with true success. How do we overcome these barriers to true freedom and peace? By acting in love and prayer! (Yes, there is definitely a theme this Lent lol.) Through love and prayer, we allow God to change us, and thereby allow Him to use us to change the world.
Today, however, I want to take it a step further: I submit that to act in love and prayer alone are not enough to change the world. We have to become love. We must become the Hands of Christ, the Heart of Christ. After all, the Church IS the Body of Christ - isn't it about time we become His Body to the World?!?
I leave you today with a Casting Crowns song, "Jesus, Friend of Sinners", that says it well:
"Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away. We cut down people in Your Name, but the sword was never ours to swing. Jesus, friend of sinners, the Truth's become so hard to see. The world is on their way to You, but they're tripping over me.
Always looking around but never looking up, I'm so double minded. A plank eyed saint with dirty hands, and a heart divided.
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers. Let our hearts be led by mercy, help us reach with open hearts and open doors. Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.
Jesus, friend of sinners, The One who's writing in the sand. Make the righteous turn away, and the stones fall from their hands. Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves. Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees.
No one knows what we're for only against, when we judge the wounded. What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did?
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers. Let our hearts be led by mercy, help us reach with open hearts and open doors. Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.
You love every lost soul, You reach for the outcast. For the leper and the lame, they're the reason that You came. Lord, I was that lost soul, and I was the outcast. But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet!
'Cause You are good, You are good, and Your love endures forever. You are good, You are good, and Your love endures forever. You are good, You are good, and Your love endures forever. You are good, You are good, and Your love endures forever.
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers. Let our hearts be led by mercy, help us reach with open hearts and open doors. Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.
And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast. You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet."
♥♥♥♥♥
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