So I titled this blog post "Messy". I have been thinking alot the past few weeks about people.
God has given Kevin and I a heart for people that some would give up on. We believe that Jesus didn't come to die for programs, or coffee bars, fish stickers or pretty church signs. Jesus died for people.
People that have made mistakes, screwed things up, don't know their bible, can't quote scripture or bible stories because they never went to Sunday School and aren't really sure what this whole "church" thing is even about.
People that will forget that you tried to help them. People that bite you and spit at you and never say thank you.
People who HAVE grown up going to church but still screwed up the "following Jesus thing" because they didn't let it sink in deep and truly meet Jesus. Instead they looked at people and flesh and sin and gave up. Or they took for granted what was handed to them so freely.
People that don't really care what seat they sit in at church. What color the carpet is. Or which parking spot they get.
People who have fallen down 7 times, and stood up eight. And will probably fall again.
People that need someone, anyone to believe in them, that they can get it right and live to fight another day.
I didn't grow up attending church every Sunday. I went in the summer for a week to Vacation Bible School to my grandparents church. I got a new dress for easter and we all went to hear my grandma sing. I didn't know about David and Goliath or Mary and Martha or Judas.
I don't feel confident all the time. I lack faith sometimes. I struggle to keep going some days. I screw up. Alot. I have to remind myself that He is enough - that His love is enough for me. I have to work a little harder than the life long church goer.
Does that make me less of a Christian? Because I'm not "churched up?" Does it make me less important to Jesus? No. Just like those who still haven't heard the good news are no less important to His heart. I believe so many of us forget that we are just as messy and dirty as the man on the street holding a cardboard sign. As the stripper trying to make a living. As the cashier at Walmart. As the guy on the corner trying to sell drugs.
Because the Jesus I know looks at the heart, not at the outer appearance. So let us take care in the way we look at others. Let us not be quick to judge, but quick to love. If we say we are christians, let us look like christians.
Love looks like something. What does your love look like? I want mine to be trench love. Messy, dirty, gutter love. That reaches without borders and limits. No gates love. Even when it hurts.
Because that is what His love looks like to me. He loved me even when I didn't love Him. And because of His love, I was drawn to Him.
<3 Christa
