Without love, clashing cymbals and clanging gongs
Today, my thoughts are traveling back in time to last summer. Our second son was in a flurry of preparation for his race of a lifetime, the World Race. With significant training to undergo, deadlines to meet and funds to raise, he was here, there and everywhere. Literally.
Sixteen thousand dollars is a lot of dollars to raise, and I held my breath. And we prayed.
Extrovert that he is, he was undaunted at the task, and he began to visit local businesses with his request. In this largely religious community, he found much favor, and many business folks and shop owners voted “yes” to his dream. They were generous, dug deep and they gave.
The “odd thing” came in a conversation one day. He was making contact as requested by a business he had visited, and this was his follow-up call. It was a Christian business, and the spokeswoman claimed His name. A faithful church attender was she, planted firmly in her convictions.
No, said the woman. They’d decided not to give.
“That’s fine,” said my cheerful-hearted son. “Would you at least commit to praying for me and my trip,” sure that she’d be eager to help in this important way.
And there it came. “Won’t your church do that?”
Stunned. Perplexed. “Yes, I’m sure they will,” he said, “but I could use your prayer as well.”
“But you’re an hour away.”
And that was that.
A year later, I am still stunned, perplexed, left scratching my head. And the verse in my mind comes from Paul, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
Love.
Not “warm, fuzzy feelings.” Not “total agreement.” Not “condoning your lifestyle or choices.” But love.
A choice that I make to love you, wish you well. To see you as Christ Himself sees. Despite appearances.
To believe that you matter as much as I do. To acknowledge your value and worth. Despite differences.
I am especially obligated to choose love for you when we’re actually on the same team, wear His jersey. We’re going to share Heaven, sing together in the choir. There’ll be no marked “sections” up there. No, there won’t.
Resounding gongs. Clanging cymbals. Claiming truth and conviction, but denying the love.
How sad.
“By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.” – Jesus Christ
This sobering message is for all of us today. In a world gone mad, darkness falling black as night, it’s here that we can and must shine! Shine the Light…
The Light of truth, and of love.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light.” – Jesus Christ
When we’re full of Him, we cannot help but to love. Just as He first so loved us.
And love will pray.