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"For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." James 4:14
I found out a few days ago that an 18 year old boy from the city I'm from was killed. I didn't know him, but I did know his family. His mom was my Brownie (Girl Scout) Troop leader in elementary school and his sister was a high shool friend. Tragic! I am so sad for his family, who are missing their boy so much. When someone dies all the little stuff is suddenly put into perspective. Like, maybe those things really don't matter so much.
I have been thinking about a post to write for a few days now about loving people. As a leader in the church I have the difficult, but humbling task of loving broken, hurting women. I see them come in from a place of desperation and get to walk beside them as they truly are transformed. I know I have talked a lot about these women being "transformed," but you probably can't comprehend that unless you've also seen it.
So, like I said, some of these women come into my cell group depressed, angry, bitter, etc.. And then it's like God says to me, "Roll up you pants, it's time to get dirty." There's really no way around it. A lot of girls have said/done really hurtful things to me. In the past I was super, super, maybe even hyper-sensitive. I got my feelings hurt REALLY easily and cried even easier. I feel like God has healed my heart and placed a seal of protection around it. If I picked up offenses easily I would probably have to quit leading.
So, the past year I've been learning how to say, "That's not about me. That's where they are in their process." It's about loving these women as God molds them and changes their character. I guess reading about this death just solidifies everything even more. Does something temporary, like someone saying something "mean" to me really matter? Does it matter in the perspective of eternity? People are eternal. I want to see these lives changes, even if it means getting my pants wet and my hands dirty!
Today I was reading my Bible and a verse really stuck out to me from Romans. "To all God's beloved ones...called to be saints and designated for a consecrated life..." (Romans 1:8, Amplified Bible) In my own words it says this: I am God's greatly loved one. I am a saint. I am set apart for a holy and sanctified life. That's the kind of motivation I need to brush off offenses, instead of picking them up. To love those who many seem unlovable at the time, but become the easiest to love. To pray with and disciple those who have nothing to offer, but who become victorious and strong world-changers.
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This may sound like an idiotic question, but is Zion a denomination or is the name of your church?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts about working with the girls in your cell. It made me think of a conversation that our bible study had yesterday night. We are presently studying When Heaven Invades earth, by Bill Johnson. In the first chapter the author tells us, "Loving God and His people is an honor. Have you ever thought of loving God and His people as an honor?" I like this statement and question (that we discussed as a study), because it changes the way I think. I often think of loving God as a honor because it is something He is totally worthy of. The people of this world are worthy of our love because God loves them. When we adopt this view of people how would it make them feel?
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound like an idiotic question at all. It's the name of the church.
ReplyDeleteI wanna be in your cell group :o)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I've certainly been offended by those I've been trying to love and encourage before. And I've seen how the enemy uses it to discourage me and make me lose hope. It's an important reminder for me to be conscious that this will happen again in the future but I need to push through anyway knowing my identity in Christ and knowing that those offending me are speaking out of hurt in their hearts.
ReplyDeleteEven today, my co-worker said something negative about me (yet not in a mean way) and I thought 'oh no, if she sees that in me then I must be doing an awful job of living like Christ', but I know I need to just take note of it, ask the Lord about it, and press on because I'm not perfect, but I can still be used by Him. :)
I hope to someday be as humble and chill about mean behavior/rudeness as you are! I'm still in the sensitive stage. *rueful smile*
ReplyDeleteI was recently called to teach the 14-year-olds in my church. One of whom announced to me on Sunday (my first day teaching), "We're the class from hell." I thanked him for the heads-up and proceeded with the class. I think I'm going to need more of your attitude to successfully teach these kids what God needs them to learn!