Connection part 2
I love the concept found in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." And, really, to me that's what life is all about. I kind of get sick and tired of hearing things like, "Sometimes you have to let other people be sad to make yourself happy." The idea of putting yourself first. And I mean, I can see where that idea comes from. The idea of, "If I don't take care of myself no one will." But that's not love. Love is not about getting. Love is about giving. Love IS giving. And a life worth living is one that you give to others. Putting OTHERS first. Becoming all things to all men. And that doesn't mean pretending to be someone you're not. It simply means finding that point of connection. Instead of letting differences separate us, we can embrace each other BECAUSE of those differences. That's what it means to be different parts of the same body. There are some things I can do that you can't. And some things that you can do that I can't. But when we work together... there's nothing we can't do! And when I stop worrying about myself, and start focusing on you, that's when I can help you. And that's when you can help me. We can fill each other's gaps. We are stronger together. Jesus is altogether lovely. And we (Jesus) are lovely all together! If I can get over myself and stop judging you THAT'S when I can start helping you. And I'm truly convinced that the ONLY time we should EVER look down on someone is so that we can REACH down and help them up. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And all have been made righteous in Him. He BECAME sin, and TOOK AWAY our sin, so that we could become the righteousness of God. We're all in this other. We all need each other. But we make mountains out of molehills and let the smallest things keep us apart. We find any and everything to fight about. Especially religious folk! Shortly after I got involved in the ministry a preacher said something that changed my entire outlook on what ministry is. He said, "It's not your job to convince people of anything. It's not your job to change people. It's your job to listen to God and tell people what He's saying to you. Period. If the Holy Spirit can't change someone, there's no way you can." And that's how I roll. If you want to know what I think, I'll tell you. But I won't argue with you. I won't let differences of opinions separate me from anybody. I'm not looking for reasons to fight. I'm not looking to condemn you. Or prove you wrong. I'm looking for reasons to love. And there are ALWAYS reasons to love. I'm looking for reasons (and ways) to help. And there are always plenty of those too. Basically the question I find myself asking is, "Hurting or helping?" and if it's hurting I don't do it. Pretty simple. I know we're all unique snowflakes, but in many ways we're all the same. If you're looking for it, you can find that connection. The deep calling to the deep. The Jesus in me connecting to the Jesus in you. It's love!