Start Acting Like It!

I heard a story this morning about a time when a church nearly split over where someone was parking their car. I'm guessing there was a problem of attitudes, both the person insisting they should park their car there, and those inconvenienced by this choice. I know I am a very young and inexperienced pastors wife, but a carpark? really? In many years I might look back and see how naive I was disbelieving that this is any cause for division, but for now, I am absolutely astounded.

And I pray that as I age, and by the grace of God, inconveniences will never cause me to be angry, or to anger others. Ahh, thats not some pot-luck old lady thing is it? I have to start it now. We have some terrific older people in our congregation, many of whom I can say "I want to be like them". But its not an accident they are like that. Selfishness is too ingrained in us to naturally let things slide. It's only God's love that brings about those selfless traits. And its only God's Spirit who can do that in us.

So, I'm sorry for passing judgement on the whole car parking issue, I'll use it to remind me (and you ;) of the need for Love like His.

And if I do, I will be patient. I will be kind. I wont envy. I wont boast. I will not be proud. I wont be rude. I will not be self seeking. I wont be easily angered. I will not keep a record of wrongs. I will rejoice with the truth and I will always protect, always trust, always hope and always persevere. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6)

I want to be an old lady like that. And I want to be a woman like that now. I want to be a mother like that, a friend like that, and a wife like that.

I like it how the Message puts it

"If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back, But keeps going to the end."

1 Corinthians 13:4-6

I asked Hannah yesterday what she would say to a particular young friend if she asked "What should I do if I want to be a Christian?" Hannahs response - "Start acting like it!"

Of course there began a teachable moment about Christianity being a relationship with God beginning with beleiving in Jesus and choosing to follow Him, but her perception was good - those who follow Jesus should be acting like it. In the sermon on the Mount Jesus said "By their fruit you will know them".

By spending time in the Bible and in prayer, through the work of the Holy Spirit in me, I'm gunna "start acting like it!"

Peace Out.