Being Human part 1
As promised, I want to continue on my theme of what it means to be human. To BE human. Not to DO human. Because it almost feels like sometimes we are robots, or aliens, trying to pretend to act like humans. Like we're so interested in finding ways to fit in. To appear human. To conform. But, as we know, there are only two verses in the KJV that talk about conformity. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." And Romans 8:29 says, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Don't be conformed to the world. Stop trying to fit in when you were created to stand out. If you aren't you--specifically the YOU that God created YOU and only YOU to be--the world will be poorer for it. Only you can do what you were created to do. Because we were all created to love, right? Nobody can love like you can. Nobody can reach the people you can in the way that you can. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Uniquely positioned to reach certain people in certain ways. Specifically, like Mother Teresa said, "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." There are people that only you can reach. And you can really only reach them by understanding that it's not about fitting in as much as it is about being who you are. Who you REALLY are. Which is who you are in Christ. Which is who Christ is in you. Understanding that we have been (past tense, done deal) conformed to His image. That doesn't need to happen. That happened 2,000 years ago on the cross. So we can stop trying to be someone we're not. We can stop trying to conform to this idea the world has of what we're "supposed" to be. The only thing you are supposed to be... is loved. And the only thing you are supposed to do... is love. Being human means being loved by God and loving Him back by loving people. That's it. That the whole deal. That's what it's all about. It's the simple. And, when you let God love you, it's that easy. All you have to do is receive and release His love. All you have to do is let Him love the hell out of you and love the hell out of the people you come into contact with. Let what's inside come out. Let the LOVE inside come out. By filling yourself to overflowing with what you've already been filled with. By abiding, or dwelling, or living in the love of God. The thing that defines the Father/Son relationship between God and man, and the reason it was so important for us to be conformed into the image of His Son, is love. "This is my BELOVED Son, in whom I am well pleased." Knowing that God is our heavenly Father and we are His beloved Son is what allows us to accept His love. Because it's not about what we do. It's about who we are. And who He is. It's about that relationship between Father and Son. It's about knowing who we are, and in that way BEING who we are. Because we are not human doings. We are human beings. And being human is being loved!