From guest Blogger, Mike Hosey, Elder at Fellowship Church.
Several years ago I noticed what at first glance seemed like
a rather offensive bumper sticker. I saw
it on the back windshield of some college kid's car as I was driving around Gainesville. I'm sure he thought it was funny, and in
fact, I must admit that I chuckled a little -- even though I found it distasteful.
The bumper sticker said, "Jesus loves you, but everyone
else thinks your an A$$&$)@ !" [Insert the slang term for an inglorious part
of the human anatomy]
Luckily, I remembered that lost people act like lost people
and was able to set aside my offense. And
I'm glad I did because there was a deep meaning in that offensive bumper
sticker. I would have totally missed something profound if I had chosen to
remain offended!
What that college kid didn't know was that the bumper
sticker he thought was funny, and offensive, and provocative was all of those
things in addition to being actually true!
Jesus certainly does love people who are A$$&$)@s
!" In fact, He loves them when no
one else will. And if we are honest with
ourselves we all know there are times when the people around us don't have very
strong feelings about us. Well, at least
not strong feelings that are positive.
It is in those times that we can turn to Jesus and thank him
for loving us -- that is to thank him for being committed to our eternal well
being -- at the very time that we deserved it least. In fact, He loved us when we didn't deserve
that love in any measure at all. And
what's more is that He is intent on making you in to a better person who loves
others just like He does.
That's his whole plan!
He loves you so much that He
wants to turn you into a new creature who possesses a sinless perfection just
like Him. He wants to make you clean,
new, and loving.
So remember, Jesus does love you, even when you're not
lovable. Now, go out and commit yourself to others as Jesus did for you.
