Life has been full of ups and downs lately and lots of confusion over what is next. So I decided to start re-reading through the Gospels. (and I found this sweet app for my ipod that will keep track of the plan for me:) )Perhaps another intense study of the life of Christ will shed some insight into what is next. If nothing else, it will be convicting I am sure.
So I started today with chapter one of Matthew, Luke, and John. I decided to read them in The Message and ESV. I like the way the Message says things sometimes…it just puts in terms that are sometime easier to understand and way more convicting. The thought that hit me today comes from John 1:14. The Message puts it like this, “The Word became flesh and blood , and moved into the neighborhood.” God, the creator of the world, became flesh and moved in next door. Can you imagine that? Waking up to find out your new neighbor was God in the flesh. He didn’t come as a king or ruler or superstar. He came as a neighbor, and a poor one at that. Yet, His goal was to restore us to fellowship with God and to cover our lives with His blood so that we may someday be His bride. But what really hit me was this-how many people knew at first that He was God? Or was He just their neighbor? And if we are made in the image of Christ, then we have Christ as our neighbor even today. Yet, how often do we actually treat our neighbors like they are made in the image of Christ? How often to we love them as Christ loves us? How often do we go out of our way to include others, bless others, care for others, give to others, and ultimately, show others how much the love of Christ has impacted us?
Certainly I am far from perfect in this area and it is a daily struggle. But I do not want my life to be a reason for anyone to turn away from the gospel of Christ. From the love and acceptance that is only found in Him. Does that make this life messy? You bet! It means loving your worst enemies and irritating co-workers and family and strangers you meet on the street.
So, He moved into the neighborhood. Our neighborhood. And left for us an example of how to live. So will you start treating your neighbors as if they were made in the image of Christ? Will you let life get a little messy and uncomfortable? I am sure going to work hard on it!
