Have An Adventure

"One of them, an expert in religious law,

tried to trap Him with this question:

'Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law of Moses?'

Jesus replied, ' You must love the LORD your God with all your heart,

all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

~Matthew 22:35-39 

 

 

We've witnessed a LOT of upheaval recently, and we have let it divide us!  We have seen the media change opinions about Law Enforcement from one of protection to vilifying ALL Law Enforcement as evil, prejudiced, and corrupt.  We have seen the racial tensions exploding due to the actions of a few.  We have seen the controversy over a flag that, for some, represents repression, yet for others it represents heritage.  We have seen people taking the law into their own hands because they didn't believe our elected officials (whom were chosen by the voting majority to serve us) were doing enough fast enough.  We have seen the Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage create such a stir as I have not seen in my lifetime.  

But let's strip away all the "causes" and "justifications" and let's take a look at one glaring core statement that is being made.  "If you don't agree and embrace my way of thinking then you are bigoted, racist, hate-mongering, and wrong."  It's as though we have become a nation of spoiled children each demanding their own way and throwing temper tantrums if we don't get it.  And in so doing we have lost the message given to us by Jesus Christ, to love each other!

Love does not mean I will always agree.  I don't expect everyone to agree with me and I'm okay with that.  Jesus reminds us that when we put our focus on loving God first we will be able to love others too, in spite of our differences.  You see, Jesus loved people!  But understand, Jesus taught people to love and to love others who thought differently, acted differently, felt differently and lived differently.  Jesus took a paralyzed man and not only did Jesus NOT put food in his mouth and money in his pocket, Jesus gave him the ability to earn his own way!

Jesus was called the Shepherd.  Shepherds don't take food to the sheep and put it in front of them.  The Shepherd shows the sheep where to find food.

If we are to truly call ourselves Christians, we need to understand that Jesus teaches us to love and part of that love is helping people become self sufficient so they, in turn, can help others!  When we can get past the personal agendas and political posturing and maneuvering, we can get back to loving.

The congregation of the Charleston AME Church proved that love conquers.  They were able to tap into the love of Christ and offer forgiveness to the inflictor of so much pain.  Why can't we? What an adventure we would have then, huh?