The constant noise of contemporary life makes it easy to miss the most profound message the world has ever known: Jesus loves you. Innovative teachers Craig Gross and Jason Harper will separate the religious from the real as they show how this simple truth is worth our undivided attention. The authors weave Jesus' narrative with their own stories of serving among the "least of these" in this inspiring summons to world-changing faith. Join them as they encounter shut-ins, drunks, inmates, porn stars, and others while striving to follow Christ in their daily lives.
Apple Pie
Sometimes the process towards a greater discover in God doesn’t make sense. The confusion comes with my expectation of pace of a person’s pursuit of God, rather than my patience in their exploration of God.
When living our life with others on the journey, we deafen the message by expressing a cryptic or hidden agenda. Many times, when talking to those who are far from God, they expressed hesitancy with a relationship with a Christian because they didn’t want to be a project. What they were saying was I don’t want to be someone’s project, or worse, someone’s notch on their evangelistic belt.
They want an unconditional friendship that will remain stable regardless if they ever choose to believe.
I want to love people unconditional and beyond their pace or lack of pace towards God. Yes, I want to live my life seeking to be the visible of the invisible. But in that, if my friend never walks a day with God, I want to still love them. Jesus models that with his love for us. Essentially, nothing I can do will make Jesus love me more. When I am strong he loves me. When I am weak, he loves me. Nothing can separate me from this love.
That extends to those who have yet to believe. And yet, many expect overnight results with the process. Some plant a seed of truth that represents Christ unconditional love. Imagine planting an apple seed. Waiting for a minute or two, and then expecting an apple pie. In that there is only one problem, where is the process? How illogical is it to plant and immediately expect to reap the immediate fruit in the next minute. From an apple seed to an apple pie, instantly is complete foolishness.
The Apostle said some will plant and some will harvest. That is a process that develops over time.
Love waits.
Today, be patient. Don’t seek to close a deal. Seek to build a lasting relationship. Jesus’ love is an exhibit of relationship. People are more valuable than a “closed deal.” As you look around the culture, find those that don’t look like, act like, think like, or believe life you. Invest time and unconditional and genuine love towards them.
Love works.
Comments
Thank You!! This is encouraging. Sometimes I find myself expecting instant results with my friends. I just need to realize like you, that this is a process.