Levels part 1
It is becoming increasingly important to me to not only UNDERSTAND that everybody is at different levels--different parts of the journey, if I can say it that way--but also to MEET people right where they're at. Because when we put expectations on people, what we're really doing is setting them up for failure and ourselves up for frustration. Because people are going to do what they're going to do no matter what you want them to do. That's called "human" nature. The beast nature. And it's only when we understand our new nature, our TRUE nature, the love nature that we can stop trying to GET people to do things and we can start DOING things for people. "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others..." (Matthew 20:28 NLT), is basically what I'm tryinig to say. When we shift our focus OFF of ourselves and ONTO others, that's when we become capable of making the sacrifice that is love. Glady giving everything we have and everything we are, no matter how it's received. And for this Rant series I want to focus on what might be an aspect of what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "The said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Now I've said many times that I don't think we're supposed to deny who we are. We're supposed to embrace who we are. But at the same time, "...if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live--for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble" (1 Corinthians 8:13 NLT). It's about loving people more than you love anything else. About loving people more than you love yourself. Esteeming others higher than yourself. Thinking about others first. Let me show you the example that prompted this Rant series: "When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn't aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the LORD" (Exodus 34:29). Moses was at a level that few people will ever get to. He stood face to face with God. He didn't even have to eat or drink, because he was completely sustained by the presence of the Lord. And his face shone with the brillant glory of the Lord. But he didn't even realize it. For him, it was just business as usual. But, "...when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses' face, they were afraid to come near him" (Exodus 34:30 NLT). The people were NOT on Moses' level. At all. they were still running FROM God instead of running TO Him. They were still more interested in an external, performance-based, man-centered, behavior modifying religious system than a relationship. Moses was God's friend. And the people of Israel were afraid to come near him. But watch this, beacause this is the point. This is where I'm at: "When Moses finished speaking wtih them, he covered his face with a veil" (Exodus 34:33 NLT). Moses didn't demand the people come up to his level. He did what was necessary to come down to theirs. "Oh. You're afraid of the glory in my face? I can't connect to you the way that I am? Ok. Let me deny myself. Let me cover up so that I can make YOU feel comfortable." It was a sacrifice, but it was one made out of love. And that's what I think the world needs a lot more of. Meeting people on THEIR level, instead of demanding that they meet you on yours!