"Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:11-14
As I read Paul’s letter to the Colossians this morning the above passage stood out. While traveling to the "ends of the earth" as your ambassador I was intrigued by unique sea of faces that we encountered. There were different shapes, features, colors and sizes. The appearance of every person triggered responses in my own nervous system, caution, curiosity, interest, indifference. Some were inviting others standoffish, some engaging but most had a wall up that said "don't talk to me." Many laughed, smiled and moved about with a confidence but the majority looked, moved, spoke as if on auto pilot. Aimlessly marching through life.
As I observed the broad spectrum of humanity, I became aware once again that despite all of our differences, we are all the same. We are all made in the image of God. We are all broken people. We are all members of a sinful humanity. We all have the same Father, the same Creator. And that Jesus, the Son of our Father, died on the cross for every single one of us.
I have known and believed that for a long time, but it struck me in a quite different way as I observed the sea of humanity all traveling to various parts of the "ends of the earth." And as I now reflect now upon the wide range of people that I bumped into, sat beside, raced past, stood in line with, flied with, did I see them through the eyes of Jesus and did they see Jesus in me?
It is easy to come to church and love the people sitting around us, at least most of time it is, but it is a whole other thing to love the broad spectrum of people that make up the world like Jesus did and does. Today, will try to live out Paul's charge to the Colossian church and I invite you to the same. With the help of the Holy Spirit, maybe we really can help change the world, one person at a time.
Peace,
Rick
Monday, January 30, 2012
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