Something a little different... continued and clarified

As noted in the title, this is the continuation with my ponderings and ramblings to the question I posed.

First, I want to clarify some things in that question. As a recovering co-dependent, it is important to state that when I ask why we don't meet others where they are as Jesus does, I don't mean that we meet them in order to TAKE ON their place and make it our pain. What I mean by that is while we are not to make another's burdens, struggles, sins, brokeness, etc. our own, we can take the time to minister to them there through our own experiences, and the grace that we have received in our lives.

So often, I believe that our unwillingness to meet someone where they are stems from fear or from the expectations that we place on ourselves and others to "fake it till we make it." Worse yet, I find that it's easy to put on our legalistic, religious hats and talk about the rules of why they "shouldn't" be in that place and what they "should" be doing. What in the world would we do if that had been the Jesus who ministered to us? That is not to say that there is not discipline or consequences that come from making choices that put us in difficult positions. It also does not mean that we are not to speak God's truth into their lives. Believe me, I understand and recognize daily consequences that come from divorce. I know that God hates divorce and I know that it is considered a sin. Luckily, because of where Jesus met me and where others were willing to meet me at different stages in that process, holding me accountable and loving me I understand and LIVE IN the grace and mercy that God provides. Understand, I only use divorce because that is something that I know well. For you, it may be something else.

The seed that allowed God to place this on my heart came from a story that I heard on Sunday night during a ROCKIN' and I do mean ROCKIN' worship service at church. I feel God's presence every time I worship at church, but Sunday night it was, at times, overwhelming(more on that in the post that God is still polishing) Anyway, as one of the guest musicians was about to perform, he introduced us to the gentleman accompanying him. This gentleman plays the drums in front of the courthouse and lives on the streets of Raleigh. The reason that he was standing on stage to play Sunday night was because one man looked at him, playing on the street, and saw Jesus in him. He said that when he looked in his face, he saw the face of Jesus. He met him where he was. Now, this same gentleman has the privilege of not only attending church every Sunday but often plays with their worship team. As Stefan described that meeting, he reminded us that we often have to look at others through different lenses. So often, I find that my lenses are clouded with past hurts and pains, preconceived notions and worst of all, self-righteousness. Captain Rob still lives on the streets and still plays drums in front of the courthouse, but he also knows that someone cared enough a few months ago to see him as a child of God. How awesome is that!??!

Since that evening, there has been a situation that has arisen in my life that has made me really think about all of this. When we have the courage to minister to hurting people, right where they are, I have found that we will be judged. That is painful and at times has made me consider abandoning the cause, but then I think about what would have happened to me if Jesus had jumped ship each time He was judged or criticized. I, of course, want to make sure that my meeting someone in that place is truly about ministering and reaching out in God's truth. I want it to be a balance of grace and mercy AND accountability. Most importantly, though, when I meet someone where they are, I want them to see Jesus in me.

So many people in hurting places are judged by those who claim to follow Jesus. Is it fear that causes us to run to the "rules" of religion? Are we too scared to get dirty and teach about truth in love? We as Christ followers have a responsibility to share the truth with those who may be lost whether it be in addiction, immoral relationships, gossip, etc. but just as Jesus met the woman at the well, I believe we have a responsibility to share that truth in love and in a way that someone can hear it in their circumstances.

If you are not familiar with the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, I encourage you to check out
John 4:7-26

Some of you may have a completely different take on this and I would love hear your thoughts.

Many blessings,

Laura

Something a little different

I have been working on a devotion to post for the past few days and it has not yet come together. I know that the Lord will work it out in His time and my commitment in doing this was to never have anything forced or contrived.  So, today this is what the Lord placed on my heart at 1:45 am (after the heart attack of finding my oldest child at the top of the stairs sleeping soundly in his sleeping bag.  He is my "Midnight Wanderer/Sleep Walker")

Anyway, it came to me at the point and stayed on my heart throughout my quiet time this morning.

There are a number of things that have recently transpired and prompted this question and I would love to hear your feedback, if you are comfortable with sharing....

"We are told, and many of us have experienced, that Jesus meets us wherever we are - in brokeness, in sin, in unbelief, etc.  Why is it so difficult for us, as His followers, to do the same for others?"

I have pondered that all morning and I have some thoughts on it but would also love to hear your thoughts... I will post my ramblings a little later today!

Much love and many blessings!