In life we care and have our priorities laid out before us in a fashion that's typical for us teenagers. There are things that, believe it or not, we really do believe we could care less about.
- Chores
- School
- Work
- "Nagging" parents
- And even God
The thing is, some of the most important things we don't care much are things we should in fact take into higher consideration. You say you could care less about school; whenever an education is required for practically most of every college and some kind of degree is required to obtain a standard job. You say you could do without your parents "nagging" you all the time; whenever they've lived longer and experienced more in twice the amount of time we have and they just wish to keep you safe and prevent you from going down a dark road with many consequences. You say you could care less about chores; whenever it gives you something productive to do and your benfiting the household's tidyness and your losing some of you laziness. You say you could care less about God; well I can't help you there. That's your decision, but if you're truly wanting to know what He can do for your life and you're willing; that I can lead you to find help with.
Sometimes we make big deals over the darndest things. Often what's important in our lives, most people don't care to even lend a helping hand or an ear to listen. You suffer and you feel alone and isolated and what do you do? Nothing, right? You probably do something, but you always have that bitterness, that scorn, that hatred, that sadness and depressed feeling that continues to haunt you no matter what you do. Can I just admit to you right now, you're not the only one. None of us are perfect, and we never will be. That's the beauty of being a human, but you don't have to do it alone.
It all starts with this: You wonder why you find it so hard to let go of all the sadness, the anger, the grudges, the betrayals. Think about it this way, we all know a person in our lives or around us who is rejected, exiled, bullied, or whatever term you wish to use to describe it. We humans are sometimes really sick and twisted people. It's hard to accept, but it's the truth. The one that everyone gossips about, the one that does drugs or smokes and everyone knows, the one who was just created uniquely and is often rejected for somethign they can't control. That one person who stabbed you in the back, or the guy/girl who dumped you and left your heart in pieces that no one could pick up. What do you do?
Luke 10:25-27- " On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26-"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27-"He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (NIV)
One of the most greatest points made, and yet one of the hardest ones to keep alive and omnipresent. I always struggle with this, no matter how much I desperately wish to talk to that rejected kid or give someone I don't know a friendly greeting. My fear of awkwardness steers me in the other direction. It needs to stop. No matter if we accept it or not; we all have at one point in our lives talked bad about someone behind their back, hurt someone either purposely or unintentionally, given someone a compliment, and loved someone. We all have our quirks and knacks and histories. But we are all one through Christ and surely God does not show favor upon situations in which his children are always at each others' throats! Greet that rejected person, go out of your way to help stand up for someone you witness is being messed up and no one else is doing anything. Be an example to others by putting yourself and your schedule behind you and helping others in front or ahead of you. You have time, you honestly do, to help someone and possibly change their life. But ultimately, God changes the lives and mindsets of those we love and care about the most and the ones around us.
Bring your worry, your hate, your sadness to God. Restating, not at Him, but to Him. God really can change your life for the better if you just trust in and love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. The Lord of our lives and the One who reigns above all else in the world. The God who loves us unconditionally no matter what we have done in the past or what we believe in. Love that is everlasting and never goes away, a God that never betrays or leaves us alone in the dust like "friends" can. It all starts with believing and trusting in Him, and putting other before yourself, and most of all,loving them. Please I encourage you to have a heart, and give a care. Lend an invitation to those who suffer every day of their lives and wonder if God really wants this for their lives when He truly doesn't wish it upon them. Lead people in the right direction, and be an example to those around by showing them how to lead others in the right direction.
Love them, don't convert them. Love them, and don't reject them. Love them, and don't spit back in anger. Love them, no matter what.
Thus concludes my notes from last night's sermon. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed sharing it.
This is for you my blessed friends, and for the ones who we need to care about more often.
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