Today was a day like I have rarely ever seen. Grief over those injured and lost in that horrible car crash in Ooltewah, the prison escapee killed, grief over the lives lost in Charleston, and the passing of the law of gay marriage in every state in the US.
These events brought out many emotions in me. I must admit, the one emotion I felt the most was shame. I was ashamed of the hatred that many voiced so publicly. I was ashamed that a white man killed 9 lovely African American people while they were in a house of worship showing the killer love. I was ashamed that so many Christians think being gay is such a horrible sin, yet they hate so freely and think that's okay. They are even proud of their hatred, thinking God approves. What about adultery, lying, cheating, murder, and so on. Is that all okay? Not in God's eye's. Not according to His word.
The God I know does not approve of hatred. The God I know is Love. He loves everyone, no matter their race, sexuality, or the sin they commit. No one is perfect. If He turned His back on all of us for sin then who would He love? No one! Because we have all sinned. And if we claim we haven't committed sin, then we are Pharisees. (the worst of the worst).
Today was a day to show love. Today was a day to reach out to those who have lost loved ones, or who are different than we are. Not matter your race, sexuality, or religion, today was a day we should love one another. No fighting. No racial slurs. And certainly no hatred.
I serve a God of love. Jesus walked with those that we, as Christians, show hatred toward. I want to walk with those people too. I want to show the kind of love He showed when He walked on this earth.
If I have offended anyone, I am sorry. But I believe that today we missed an opportunity to be Jesus in the lives of many people, whether we agree or not. Love isn't about agreeing. Love is about reaching out to one another and caring for them whether we agree or not. Love is about reaching to others in their deepest needs and hurts. I have had very deep hurts, and very deep needs. I have sinned in very dark areas. I needed others to lean on during those times. Now is our time to reach out and love.
Let's allow God to judge. Not us! We are not capable of judging. Only He is capable. And only He knows who to forgive. Stop trying to take His place! He is our creator! And He knows right from wrong, those who truly love Him and serve Him, and those who do not.
Much love to everyone who reads. My heart breaks for those who lost precious loved ones in Charleston and in Ooltewah. And my heart aches for those who were attacked on FB and other social media today. My heart hurts for all the haters. Hate solves nothing. It only dishonors God and creates turmoil.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Imagine All The People...
I'm lying here tonight on my sofa, my little Maltipoo, Deacon, snuggled close to my side. My mind wanders back to a trip I was on around 5 years ago, or so. We had taken a drive from Pueblo Colorado to Crested Butte Colorado.
As we began the drive, I remember passing through tiny towns, winding through the mountains, following along beside the most gorgeous river of rapids I had ever seen. We entered the town of Salida, stopping and taking silly pictures along the way. From Salida we started the trek over one of the Fourteeners. The road was wide, yet winding. As we topped the tall mountain and drove into the valley below I recall suddenly becoming awe struck. The beauty is indescribable. Rambling shallow creeks through lush green fields full of horses. If you know me at all, you know I have a passion for horses. The farms houses were all different, some old and some new. They were all gorgeous, no matter their age. Wildflowers of all colors were blooming. In the background, for miles and miles I could see tall snow capped mountains. This view must be much like what Heaven will be like.
As we neared the distant mountains and the quaint village of Crested Butte, there were several moments when I sat in silence, my eyes filled with tears. I had never seen such beauty. I had never felt such peace. I was awe struck with love for our Creator. How could a God as huge as He is, love me enough to allow me to behold His splendor in such a unique place? It was a drive I will never forget as long as I live. It was a moment in time with God that was created just for me. I felt His love for me and my love for Him in such a unique way that day.
Today I have had this memory on my mind. I have also been wondering all day a simple question. What if I felt that kind of love and awe for my Savior every day? What if I could breathe Him in, not missing a moment of peace and beauty that He gives me daily? What would my life look like if I were filled with that kind of love daily? What about everyone else? What if we all loved Him the way I adored Him that day? How would that translate into our lives? What would our world be like if we all lived in peace and beheld His Beauty?
I believe it would wipe away all hate. We could disagree, yet still love. We could have compassion for one another the way Jesus did when He walked on the earth. We could allow for differences and still see the beauty in one another. We could desire God's best for others rather than calling them our enemy. We could forgive.
I know this is only a dream. As I studied in Genesis yesterday about Adam and Eve, I saw clearly how our world has become so twisted. Once Eve sinned, then Adam, there was no going back. We will always live in a sinful world. But it's so sweet to dream about what if.... It's so sweet to remember that day filled with meandering streams, horses, wildflowers and snow capped mountains. It's a pleasure to remember feeling in complete awe of the beauty He created. And it's amazing to remember the feeling of complete and total peace. Nothing else mattered but God and love and my family on that day.
I know we will never live in a perfect world. But what if we all changed our world around us when we can? What if we are kind to strangers? Give to others when prompted to give, rather than hold on to money and possessions so tightly? Slip a note to someone who needs encouraging? Go visit a friend who is sick, finding out what they need, rather than saying "if there's anything I can do let me know". What if we took a moment out of our day to contact an old friend, or say "I'm sorry" to someone we may have hurt along the way? What if we thanked someone who made a difference in our lives? I could go on and on. As I write, God is prompting my heart to do these things.
Thank you for reading as I reminisce and imagine. I want to strive to see Him everyday the way I saw Him that day in Colorado. I hope and pray some of you will join me on this journey to slow life down and just be in awe sometimes. And I hope you will join me in changing our little pieces of the world to look a little more like Jesus, to share His love with others.
I am so humbled that you read my little blog. To Him be all glory! Much Love to all of you!
As we began the drive, I remember passing through tiny towns, winding through the mountains, following along beside the most gorgeous river of rapids I had ever seen. We entered the town of Salida, stopping and taking silly pictures along the way. From Salida we started the trek over one of the Fourteeners. The road was wide, yet winding. As we topped the tall mountain and drove into the valley below I recall suddenly becoming awe struck. The beauty is indescribable. Rambling shallow creeks through lush green fields full of horses. If you know me at all, you know I have a passion for horses. The farms houses were all different, some old and some new. They were all gorgeous, no matter their age. Wildflowers of all colors were blooming. In the background, for miles and miles I could see tall snow capped mountains. This view must be much like what Heaven will be like.
As we neared the distant mountains and the quaint village of Crested Butte, there were several moments when I sat in silence, my eyes filled with tears. I had never seen such beauty. I had never felt such peace. I was awe struck with love for our Creator. How could a God as huge as He is, love me enough to allow me to behold His splendor in such a unique place? It was a drive I will never forget as long as I live. It was a moment in time with God that was created just for me. I felt His love for me and my love for Him in such a unique way that day.
Today I have had this memory on my mind. I have also been wondering all day a simple question. What if I felt that kind of love and awe for my Savior every day? What if I could breathe Him in, not missing a moment of peace and beauty that He gives me daily? What would my life look like if I were filled with that kind of love daily? What about everyone else? What if we all loved Him the way I adored Him that day? How would that translate into our lives? What would our world be like if we all lived in peace and beheld His Beauty?
I believe it would wipe away all hate. We could disagree, yet still love. We could have compassion for one another the way Jesus did when He walked on the earth. We could allow for differences and still see the beauty in one another. We could desire God's best for others rather than calling them our enemy. We could forgive.
I know this is only a dream. As I studied in Genesis yesterday about Adam and Eve, I saw clearly how our world has become so twisted. Once Eve sinned, then Adam, there was no going back. We will always live in a sinful world. But it's so sweet to dream about what if.... It's so sweet to remember that day filled with meandering streams, horses, wildflowers and snow capped mountains. It's a pleasure to remember feeling in complete awe of the beauty He created. And it's amazing to remember the feeling of complete and total peace. Nothing else mattered but God and love and my family on that day.
I know we will never live in a perfect world. But what if we all changed our world around us when we can? What if we are kind to strangers? Give to others when prompted to give, rather than hold on to money and possessions so tightly? Slip a note to someone who needs encouraging? Go visit a friend who is sick, finding out what they need, rather than saying "if there's anything I can do let me know". What if we took a moment out of our day to contact an old friend, or say "I'm sorry" to someone we may have hurt along the way? What if we thanked someone who made a difference in our lives? I could go on and on. As I write, God is prompting my heart to do these things.
Thank you for reading as I reminisce and imagine. I want to strive to see Him everyday the way I saw Him that day in Colorado. I hope and pray some of you will join me on this journey to slow life down and just be in awe sometimes. And I hope you will join me in changing our little pieces of the world to look a little more like Jesus, to share His love with others.
I am so humbled that you read my little blog. To Him be all glory! Much Love to all of you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)