I’ve heard enough about chick-fil-a to last me a lifetime.
And you know what?!! This girl has an opinion.
I have NO idea what Jesus would have done if he lived in
modern times and Chick Fil A existed. My GUESS is that he would have been at a
homeless shelter, or in someone’s house teaching, not eating waffle fries (I don’t
think they are kosher?). Does that mean you’re a bad person for supporting the restaurant
that makes me feel like fast food is slightly acceptable? Nope. Does it mean
that you are a better person because you didn’t go to Chick Fil A and you’re
learning to make your own chicken nuggets at home out of protest? Nope.
Let me tell it to you straight.
1. We are ALL
sinners.
2. Our political views will NOT get us to heaven. 3. My God is LOVE, not hate.
4. Love does NOT mean compromising the truth.
If Jesus walked on this earth today where would he stand on
Gay marriage, or abortion, taxes, or a myriad of other political topics that
Christians and non-Christians alike get hyped up over? I have an idea – but I
THINK (opinion only folks, I’m not God) that He would emphasize that its people’s
hearts He is after, not their votes. When Jesus did walk on the earth, He did
not seek to overthrow governments, much to the Jew’s dismay. He walked, loved,
prayed, taught, healed, died, and rose again.
So here’s the thing, no matter what side of the fence you
fall on, if you profess to be a follower of Christ I think we should remember a
few things. God loves people, and hates sin. Our human minds can’t process that
because we think that if someone does something we don’t like, we don’t like
them. WRONG. You don’t like their actions, not WHO THEY ARE. You can dislike what people do AND who they
are – but that’s a horse of a different color. It’s much like loving a child –
when they throw fits and tantrums and drive you up a wall, you don’t just stop
loving them because their behavior doesn’t please you at the time.
Aren’t you glad God is a really good dad? And He doesn’t stop
loving you each time you mess up? He is a God full of grace, mercy, and love.
THAT is something worth emulating. We are called to LOVE those who are
difficult to love. That means, people who don’t share your political views,
religious views, moral standing, who are
rude to you, talk bad about you, take advantage of you, steal from you…
Matthew 5:38-48
38“You have heard that
it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ 39“But I say to you,
do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn
the other to him also. 40“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let
him have your coat also. 41“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to
borrow from you.
43“You have heard that
it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say
to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you
may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on
the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46“For
if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax
collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you
doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you
are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I’m NOT perfect. And I struggle
with actually loving people who are hard to love. But THAT’S my goal. Love
everyone, all the time, no matter what. Loving them does not mean I have to be ok with
their actions, it means looking past the action to see the person, in need of
love, grace and mercy.
Lord, please help me
to do this in my life. You know how hard it is for me to do this, and how my
little heart gets hurt by people. Help me to forgive them, and love them. Help me
to love others like you do so that I can be your hands and feet. Help me to not
love people out of selfish gain, but to love unconditionally. Teach me to live
like you did, loving, forgiving, healing, teaching, walking, and dying for you.
Forgive me for not loving people better. Forgive me for my failures. Thank you
for saving me. Thank you for loving me all the time. Amen.
XOXOX,
Lauren
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