Volume XV, Issue 3

January 19, 2015

Pelted by the cold rain, I rushed through the crowded parking lot. The warm, dry shelter of an office supply store beckoned me. But as its sliding doors offered to usher me inside, a loud crash echoed off the walls (followed by several choice words I cannot print here).

I turned and saw a young man staring at an overturned shopping cart. Nearby lay an assortment of bags, packages, and boxes, all scattered about as though the cart had vomited them onto the rain-soaked pavement. (Got the picture?)

I hurried back and helped him gather up his newly purchased pens, pencils, stationery, copy paper, toner, storage bins, deluxe coffee maker, and one quite heavy wireless printer/copier/scanner combo. I have no idea how he got it all in the cart, and therein may lie the cause of his catastrophe.

With the last item tightly wedged in, he took hold of his overloaded cart and walked away. No "Thank you". No "You've been very kind." No "What an incredibly wonderful person you are." Not even a casual wave. Nothing. (Did I mention it was raining?)

As he strode away, my emotional state ran from shock to indignation. I considered yelling something, but had no idea what. I thought about running after him and knocking over his cart, but somehow that didn't seem like something Jesus would do. Angry and wet, I stomped into the store.

Similar things have happened to me. Maybe you, too. And in my righteous outrage, Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44) doesn't immediately come to mind. And while this guy wasn't really my enemy, Jesus' command to Love one another certainly includes jerks.

But if our focus is to love others, why place any significance on their response? Think about it. If you felt he would ignore you, would you attempt to love him? If you thought she would betray you, would you try to encourage her? If you knew they would mock you, would you lift a finger to help them?

The righteous answer, of course, is---Yes! Absolutely. No question. But the honest answer may be difficult to admit---Probably. Maybe. I'd have to think about it.

And yet, there's nothing wrong with wanting a positive response. It's okay to desire a word of thanks, a hug, or pat on the back. The problem is not in seeking an affirming reaction, but from whom we seek it. The real question is, Who do you live for?

Why should we love, encourage, and help others, even our enemies and the jerks of the world? Because Jesus made it clear---if we love Him, we will do what He has told us to do. Our focus then should be on Him...what brings Him joy...what moves Him to say, Well done.

If we live for ourselves...if the reaction of others takes center stage...we will be discouraged and miserable. Each of us can be rude, arrogant, and insensitive. Not the people we are called to be.

But if we live for Jesus...if His love means more than that of any other person...He will provide that positive response. He will be our affirmation. And we live in His love every moment of every day.

Jesus died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

Take care & be God's,

Chuck

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