Will you say yes to Love?

Many times when I sit and reflect on other time periods in history I try to imagine how I would have lived in that time and place and how much I would have loved to be one of the ‘game changers’. I don’t know about you, but I would often imagine myself giving Martin Luther King’s speech, of being Rosa Parks on that bus, of being one of the houses that smuggled refugees during the holocaust. There is so much within me wanting to make a difference. Wanting to see lives and society changed. And ultimately it’s not even about me being recognised for it - it’s more like me knowing that my life wasn’t a waste.

Let’s face it. We get between 0-100-and-something years on this planet. I have no idea why some people die before they are born and other people smoke and drink their whole life and live more than 90 years. It doesn’t match up. But then I’m looking through the wrong lens. Life is not fair. It never has been and it never will be. If life was fair it would also be predictable. And as much safety there is in predictability, there is no anticipation or excitement. I, for one, would rather live a life that was unsafe and unpredictable rather than one that is the opposite. Why? I have a number of reasons. But I wonder what type of life you would prefer?

We are all made to make a difference in this world. No exceptions. But the interesting thing to note is the difference between those people who know they are made to impact the world and those who are either unaware of this fact or choose not to believe it. I teach a group of 10-12 year olds who all believe they are on this earth to make a difference. In 11 weeks we will be taking about 22 of these children to the capital of America, Washington DC, to play their part in making a difference. These children are going to visit congress and encourage their nation’s leaders; they will be standing on the steps of the United States Supreme Court praying for those women and children affected by abortion; they will be playing their part and making a difference. And the best part is – they know it! There is a fire in their eyes and they know they are going to affect change. It’s one of the most thrilling things to witness. If they are igniting change at this age – they’ll be unstoppable through university, in their jobs, with other parents at their kids’ schools… The possibilities are endless and I’m excited!!

Life was meant to be lived, not simply endured. For too long now the church has been living a safe, ineffective existence because they’re afraid of being tainted by the evil in the world. They’ve been separating themselves for decades because they’re afraid of change happening to them. I no longer am interested in such a representation of my friend Jesus. That’s not how he lived and it’s not what he died for. Yes, the human race is fallen and depraved. I get it. I see the news and hear the reports. But here’s the best part!! Jesus didn’t die only to give us a ticket into Heaven – which is unfortunately the message of Christianity that has been booming for as long as I can remember. He came to give us life! His life! He died in our place and therefore everything that was his is now ours if we choose to accept it.

Jesus was the biggest revolutionary of all time. He changed the course of the world forever. He empowered women (if you read your Bible properly you will see this), he healed the sick, he broke the rules that were burdening the people, he offended the powerful (let’s use wisdom here…haha) and he befriended the sinners. He showed us what his father is really like. God is love. Jesus changed the world with a new perspective of love. And if you, like me, have been adopted into this family of love, then it’s our responsibility to keep on with our family’s mandate – Love God and Love Others. It’s simple but not always easy. But the smallest act of love can have a ripple effect so much greater than we could ever know. Will you say yes to Love?