Building

So, I think that I've discovered some things that I need to say "yes" to. This week, the text for Exodus was Luke 6, basically Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount. One of Luke's key elements to the sermon is basically the idea of love; love defines the Kingdom that You are always building, and especially love towards those that oppose, annoy, hold back, deny, or hate us.

I don't think that I have any one who hates me. And unlike the Jewish people the sermon was delivered to, I don't have any racial group that I detest. But certainly there are those who drive me nuts and who I don't want to be around. My challenge this week has been to think through how I can love them. And not just a little bit, but instead, like my family. Because that's what the Sermon on the Mount, Luke's version, is really asking.

And so, I came up with several ideas. Eating lunch with a specific student one day, sacrificing my lunch another day for a men's prayer group, and then I need to try to reach out to the 7th graders and I haven't quite figured that one out yet. But my prayer today is that You will either bless these ideas or show me a better way. Show me better ideas. 

I don't want to be a hypocritical pastor, one who tells his congregation, "Think about this," and then just let myself off the hook. I need to work on loving just as much as everyone else. Give me that strength, Lord. Give me that support of a merciful Father as my foundation. Then let me build on it.