Messy

Loving imperfect people can be very messy.

We live in a world filled with so much hate and division. One cannot go on to Facebook or Twitter or watch the news without encountering political debates, personal attacks, as well as content lacking real substance. If you are like me, you might find yourself getting frustrated and colder with people. Are you the person who continues to block people on social media? Are you the person who always needs to comment a rebuttal? Or are you the person that views anyone with an opposing view as lesser?

As I began to reflect on my own personal feelings toward the hate and division in our world, I was reminded of the words of Jesus. Luke 6:32-36 states, “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” Jesus reminds His followers that we are called to love our enemies and to do good toward them while seeking nothing in return. Is that your response? Though it might not be our initial inclination and though it may be difficult, it is the calling of a Christian to be loving and merciful. Are you judging those who wrong you with mercy? What about those in your family and church? Do you show them grace, mercy, and forgiveness? I get it. People (especially family members and church people) can be ignorant, uncaring, and even cruel at times. However, Christians are called to love them anyway. Hate and division can be found on social media, in our families, our homes, and even our churches. This is not a political, racial, or religious problem, rather it is a human problem. The truth is people are not perfect. We sin and we make mistakes. I know I do! And when we choose to love sinful and imperfect people, things can get messy. You might find yourself in some of the most uncomfortable situations as you lovingly pursue imperfect people. Sometimes love requires you to humble yourself. Sometimes love requires you to go pick someone up at 3AM. Sometimes love requires you to forgive 70x7 times. Sometimes love requires you to make personal sacrifices. Sometimes love requires you to be taken advantage of. Sometimes love requires you to have a hard conversation. Sometimes love is more of a choice than it is an emotion. When Jesus loved, He was rejected, hated, spit on, mocked, beaten, and murdered. Romans 5:8 states, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus loved imperfect people and that is why He went to the cross. Love can get messy sometimes. The cross was messy. Are you okay with that? No matter where you go, there will be messes. Can you love people in their mess? God loves you in yours. Are you willing to get some dirt on you as you love others? Jesus did. And I hope you will do the same.