Faith Expressed In Love

If you walk into my house and glance at my bookshelves you'd probably guess that I love History.  In fact, I was a history major in college and about half way through my academic career I got fed up with trying to sell my books back to the bookstore at the end of the semester and getting a fraction of what I had originally spent in return.  So I began keeping all of the books I was interested in, or that looked impressive on the shelf..., rather than returning them.  As a result I developed quite a library.

I still love reading and learning about history and I've often thought about where I would go if I had the opportunity to meet someone from the past.  But I can't help but feel disconnected from those same historical figures.  They couldn't have imagined what it would have been like for me living in mid-Michigan today.  Incidentally, we only know certain information about their accomplishments or demographics, but little of who they were as people.

In light of this, its incredible for me to think that Jesus Christ prayed specifically for me, living today in Mount Pleasant, MI, in an account in the book of John 17.  As Jesus was in his final stage of his ministry on earth, he took the time to pray to the Father about his disciples and the growing church.  His greatest prayer for those who would believe in His name through the message of the gospel was for unity among believers.

If Jesus took the time to pray this specific desire for all those who would come to faith in the future, it must be a pretty big deal.  But how often does the church get unity wrong?  Unfortunately too often.  If it was important enough for Jesus to call out, it should probably be at the front of our minds.

In the same way that Jesus is inexplicably one with the Father through the mystery of the Trinity, He desires for us to be unified with each other.  Under the common goal of bringing glory to God's name and sharing the love of Christ, we should be unified regardless of difference of theology, worship style, or politics.

At StudentLife, the student ministry I work with, we put a high emphasis on community and try to live out this call in the context of small groups.  Small groups seem an uncommon practice in the world today.  But, there is something inside each of us to be a part of a community that cares for each other and grows together.  I think the more we get in the habit of doing life together, the more we'll understand the significance of Jesus' call for us to be unified.

Been thinking a lot recently about how I have a natural tendency towards being anti-social.  If left to myself, lacking any inner motivation to change, my introverted personality would cause me to be alone.  Luckily, I realize this isn't for my benefit, so its a trait I typically override.

I've always been a little envious of people who seem to be naturally gifted at consistently surrounding themselves with relationships.  You know, the individuals who would be driven crazy by a day at home doing nothing and instead thrive on being with other people.  I wish that came naturally to me.

In John 4 there is a passage in which Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well.  After traveling a long way, he sits to rest and hopefully get a drink, although he has nothing to dip in to get water.  A woman approaches.  He could have easily ignored her, especially since she was a Samaritan, a population the Jews went to great lengths to avoid.  Maybe due to his thirst, he could have asked simply for a drink of water. But instead, he engages her in conversation, telling her of a more fulfilling life that could come from a relationship with Him.  And as a result, we read an entire village was changed.

Putting my imperfect self in the same situation, resting next to a well, tired, I probably would have said nothing.  Perhaps smile courteously.  If I was SUPER thirsty, I may have politely asked for a drink.  But I doubt our conversation would have led to anything very personal.  And as for issues of faith, fear of offending or coming off weird more than likely would have kept any conversation strictly about the weather.  Although, God may have come up in light of the fact that the Detroit Lions are currently 4 - 0, which I'm pretty sure is one of the signs of Jesus' eminent return.

Thinking about my tendency towards isolating myself causes me to think about how often I miss out on an opportunity to meet someone.  Every individual we pass in the store, on the street, and on the planet has hopes, dreams, and an elaborate story.  If you really think about it, that's incomprehensible.  What incredible value every person has and think about the amazing richness that can come from a life filled with relationships.

And as it deals with my call as a Christ follower, how much more important is it for me to be His hands and feet on a daily basis?  How will people discover the amazing joy of the gospel message if I'm not willing to share?  In light of this, I'm praying for renewed boldness and opportunities to build relationships with people that go beyond the superficial.  Maybe, if I'm lucky, I can change a village in the process.

There is a laundry list of lessons I hope to pass on to my two sons, Elijah (4 yrs) and Ben (3 yrs) before they grow up and leave the house.  But how often do I stop and think strategically about what these things are.  Sure, sometimes the obvious object lesson jumps in front of you, like how you should share with your friends or not check for poop in your shorts with your fingers.

Sometimes these lessons are as simple as wash your hands before you eat so you don't get sick.  Or it could be more important, like how we always treat mommy, or ladies, softly and with respect.  When I think about everything on the list I get a little nervous I'll forget something.

But I must be doing something right.  This weekend Elijah showed he inherited one of my favorite skills I developed in the seventh grade.  In middle school, I developed the ability to catch a fly with my bare hands.  I'm sure it was a feeble attempt to impress the ladies.  For the remainder of the school year I would catch flies in class and give them away as prisoners in mechanical pencil plastic lead containers.

This past Saturday we had a fly flying around in our van, which I attempted to catch but missed.  Eli and Ben saw what I was attempting to do and joined in the activity as the poor fly bounced from window to window.  As we were getting out of the van Kati got excited saying she thought Elijah had caught it.  I skeptically came to Eli's side to open his door and I checked his hand.  As he slowly opened his fingers, the fly bolted out to the open door, happy to find freedom again.  Needless to say, I was super excited and Eli had the biggest, most proud smile on his face.

Not sure if this was something that he picked up cause he had watched his Dad or if he genetically inherited some kind of super speed.  At any rate, I hope he has a better luck than I did using his special ability to pick up chicks.  And I also pray he and Ben pick up more important things their father, intentionally or unintentionally, hopes to instill in them.