What’s important to you? I mean really deep down, and the core of your being, so important that life would never be the same if it were taken from you? It’s the thing you would have inscribed on your tombstone if you were limited to one word.
For me, it’s easy. Coffee. But not just any coffee: dark, bold, robust make-your-hair (if you have any) stand up coffee. The kind of coffee you get in local coffee shops served by a guy with multiple piercings who knows his varietals. Coffee that needs nothing added and comes in a biodegradable cup. Now that’s coffee.
Photo by waferboard; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
Problem is, with all my ailments, coffee doesn’t taste right. I still drink a little, but hospital coffee is only one step above gas station coffee in terms of quality. Cancer has taken something else I love.
What’s Really Important
Anyone who knows me well knows my love for a cup of joe, but they also know that there are many things I love more than java. Let’s start with my faith and my family. The Army is a distant third and coffee rounds out the top ten. I know what’s important and what really isn’t.
As Jesus-followers, we know what’s really, eternally important. It doesn’t matter which side of the Mason-Dixon line you live, your skin color or culture, whether or not you agree with Supreme Court decisions. What matters is Jesus. Period.
Don’t mistake my intentions here. I am not polarizing this blog and I’m not suggesting uninformed opinions. I have strong opinions about much that is currently happening, but what matters is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, not which side of the aisle I favor. Please, no hateful comments; I have the all-powerful delete button behind the curtain.
How Well do You See?
When a nurse walks into my room, and she observes my interaction with my wife and me, how does she know we follow Christ? Does she feel love or condemnation? She’ll know us as Jesus disciples by our love. Paul said this in his letter to the Galatians:
“For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6 NLT
We first need to see others as Sons and Daughters of God rather than left, right, short, fat, gay, straight, alcoholic, adulterous, or any thing other than who they are in Christ. I used to binge drink, curse, and once stole some baseball cards from K-Mart, does God see me as a drunk, potty-mouth thief?
No, He no longer sees my sin because Jesus has paid the price and redeemed me. So, this pot is asking all you kettles, why do we see someone as their sin rather than someone to love?