Love God, Love People.

This was the message Pastor Mark spoke about at church yesterday. Pretty simple, right? I thought so at first. In my mind I was thinking, “Yes, I love God with everything in me and I love people, too.”

But do I really do that second part?

Not really. I do a pretty bad job at it, actually. Before yesterday, I was under the impression that I was pretty good at the loving people part. But then it hit me that I do a pretty good job at loving people who love me back…at loving people who are like me…at loving people who are easy to love. But what about those people who don’t love me in return, who aren’t like me, and who aren’t easy to love? I am seriously lacking in that department.

Here’s the thing. Sometimes while listening to a sermon, especially by Pastor Mark, I get really freaked out. I feel like the whole sermon is directed at me and that Pastor has been watching me to find out where I need to grow spiritually and then addresses them from the pulpit. Silly me, then I see that that is God, speaking to me and addressing those needs I talk to him about in my prayers.

I really saw this when he used an example of an issue I am passionate about…abortion. For those reading this, I’m sure you know that I am pro-life. I am super opinionated about the issue and get super heated and offended when someone disagrees with me. I tend to attack the issue full-on and don’t really care what my opponent has to say because the way I viewed  it, they find it okay to murder precious babies, life created by God. Because they find it okay, I always assumed these people were cold and heartless. Honestly, when I learned of someone being pro-choice, I found myself wanting to argue with them to show them their wrongful beliefs and then wanting to distance myself from the person with such beliefs.

Loving people, right? Eek. Far from it. Pastor Mark talked about a few accounts of Jesus handling sticky issues like this. My favorite is in John 8. We can read about the woman caught in adultery at the Mount of Olives. By law, the woman was to be stoned to death for her deeds. But instead, Jesus went to the teachers of the law and pointed out that yes, the woman had sinned, but that they, too were sinners just like her. The Pharisees and teachers walked away, knowing Jesus was right. They pretty much got owned. Then Jesus talked with the woman and said, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said no. He replied, “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now, and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus is amazing, isn’t he? To be perfect, to be sinless, and when he had every right to condemn the woman who disobeyed his father, he did not. Instead of waving that finger of shame in front of her face, he stood next to her, giving her that second chance.

Basically, I’m the same as the woman in the story. I’m not an adulteress, but I sin in many other ways. When I was a youngin’ I liked to point my finger at my brother when he did something wrong, saying “awwwwwwww, look what he diiiiiiiiiid!” And my grandma would always say, “Amy, you have three fingers pointing back at yourself you know.” Young Amy had no idea what this meant until years later. But it’s the truth. I can point my finger at other people who support ideas that don’t agree with God’s word, but I still have those three fingers pointing back at me, showcasing my sin. And all the while, I’m not showing love to those people like Jesus showed love to the adulteress.

As I’ve learned, it’s difficult to love people. It’s hard to love that man that just cut me off on the expressway. It’s difficult to love that girl at the REC who made fun of me for working out on my elliptical  to Footloose. It’s hard to love my neighbor who decided to gut out the inside of his dilapidated motor home at 7 am this morning using a chain saw. Seriously though, it’s not easy to love that person who speaks against Christianity. But as Christians, we are meant to model our lives after Jesus, to love everyone and show compassion and kindness toward them to demonstrate that love. After reading that story in John, I can see that there’s a much better way to approach people who are different than me and who are overall just more difficult to love; to take them by the side and hear them out, find similarities and work on the differences, find that common ground, and show them the love and kindness that Jesus showed the woman. It's one thing to say you love a person/people, but as cliche as it is, actions do speak louder than words and that is one more thing I've really taken notice in lately.

It’s a humbling experience when God kicks me in the tush and shows me ways to better live my life in His name :)

I had three things I HAD to get done today. They are:

Public Policy class this morning (had to give a presentation and all).

My video commentary for my teaching portfolio.

A social studies lesson plan for my evaluation tomorrow.

Now, ask me if I have done these things yet today. ..(you asking)...

No, I did not. Instead, I did these things:

Painted my toenails.

Brought my mom Panera Bread at work.

Read my Bible a bit.

Brushed my teeth three times.

Fixed the vacuum.

Cleaned out my car and vacuumed it (it was really looking like a homeless person lived inside).

Went swimming.

Drove around in my car with the windows down blasting some ridiculous songs that I am not even going to list here because they are that ridiculous.

Washed clothes that didn't need to be washed.

Updated this trusty xanga.

Worked on Camp Adventure paperwork.

And made a baby blanket.

Why, why, WHY do I do this? At least I was productive today and did somethings (even if half of them weren't neccessary).

Ok, for realsies, back to work...right after I drive to the gas station to get a yummy eclair.

P.S. There are four words that are making me jump for joy right now: The Office. Is. Back.