Jay and I are currently living in a Mexican town called Zirahuen, and this past Saturday we took a day trip to the nearby city of Morelia.  While we were sitting on a park bench admiring the beautiful weather and children blowing bubbles, a man missing an arm and a leg wheeled himself over to us and asked us if we wanted to buy some gum.  We brushed him off with a “‘no gracias, lo siento,” and watched him continue on his way.

After a few minutes Jay said, “you know, this man is mentally handicapped, has lost two limbs, and is trying to sell gum in order to survive in a country where people like him can easily fall through the cracks.  He could just resort to begging on a street corner like so many others, but has taken the initiative to wheel himself around to offer something of value to people who reject him time and time again.”  I watched Jay call the man back over and buy two packs of gum, and during the transaction Jay asked for the man’s name.  The man, Luis, was shocked that a gringo would care enough to ask for his name and smiled from ear to ear.  I was grateful for Jay’s willingness to see past the surface and show dignity to this man.

Two hours later we were sitting in a trolley, taking a historical tour of the city. We stopped and all got out at a church that looked like this:

Not seeing anything special about this church compared to the others I had seen that day, I was tempted to not go in at all.  In comparison to the others, it was quite boring in appearance.  To my delight however, all my preconceptions were shattered when I walked through the doors and saw this:

As we left the church Jay and I commented that we never would have known, based on the outward appearance of the church, that so much beauty was held inside.  I realized in that moment that the words I had read in the Bible earlier that morning were being demonstrated before my very eyes.

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “here’s a good seat for you” but say to the poor man, “sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  (James 2)

Ladies, how often do we show favouritism based on appearance? How often do we give special attention to people who are beautiful, or popular, or smart?  God’s word truly came alive to me that day in Morelia, and I know that this is an area I must work on.  Let’s look beyond the outward appearance this week and truly love people as Jesus would love them.

Michelle

Grade 9 math class.  The subject was never my strong suit, and I was slightly nervous as I sat down next to my friends on the first day while our teacher introduced himself to us.  It didn’t take long until we discovered our teacher to be a short-tempered man who often seemed aloof as he gazed out the window during our individual work time.

One day I whispered to my friend to borrow and eraser, and our teacher thought I was trying to cheat.  He exploded.  The phrase that almost brought tears to my eyes was, “you’ll never amount to anything in this class or in this school!”  Out of spite, I was determined to prove him wrong.  I worked harder in his class than any other math class in my school history, and received the highest mark in the class that year.  “So there,” I thought.

The following semester our math teacher did not return to school.  I found out his son had died in a car accident.  Jesus worked on my heart of stone towards this man, and I decided to hunt down his address and send him a card.  The following semester he was back at school, and I remember our first interaction like it was yesterday.  He came up to me in the hall, and with tears in his eyes he placed his hand on my shoulder and simply said, “thank you Michelle.”  Every bit of bitterness I still had towards him vanished in that moment.  Later I found out that he had lost another son before I had attended his class.  Oh how I had misunderstood this man.  When I graduated from high school, I stayed in touch through letters.  Our letters often discussed faith, pain, and God, and I started to see that I was perhaps the only Christ-follower he knew as a friend.

Two years ago I had the privilege of having him and his wife in attendance at my wedding.  A man I hated in grade 9 had made it on our guest list of loved ones 7 years later.

I have often wondered what would have happened if I didn’t follow God’s leading in sending that card.  As Christ-followers we are to be set apart.  We should be experts at extending grace to difficult people.  Sometimes I think I was way better at this in high school, and need Jesus desperately to keep my heart compassionate and gracious on a daily basis.  If we don’t love difficult people, who will?

Is there is a difficult person in your life right now?  How are you extending Jesus’ grace to them?

Michelle

One thing I hear people say to me sometimes is this: “Michelle, you’re such a good person.”  Have you ever had this experience?  I think the world is sometimes fascinated when someone chooses not to get drunk at parties, attends church regularly, or goes on mission trips to serve the poor.  When people treat others with respect and dignity, go out of their way to do acts of kindness, have integrity in the workplace, or have a positive attitude despite circumstance, they are seen as radical and different from most others.  These are all things I strive for, so it should not be a surprise when others label me as a “good person.”

But to be honest, it makes me sick.

If people see me as a good person but fail to see Jesus, my good acts are leading everyone astray.  If people think that I am who I am and do the things I do out of my own ‘goodness’ and strength, they are led to think that it all comes down to human effort.  Subsequently, there is no need for a saviour. 

For those of you that know me and think I am a good person, here’s what I have to say: It is ALL Jesus.  If you think I love others, it is because Jesus first loved me.  If you think I have integrity, it is because the Holy Spirit convicts me to do what is right. If you think I have wisdom, it is because God gives it to those who ask. If you think I am pure, it is because Jesus died for my sin, cleansed me form all unrighteousness, and allows me to live in victory over impurity.  If you think I am going to heaven, it is not because of my good works but because of the Cross.  That’s it. 

SHAME ON US FOR TAKING THE CREDIT FOR WHAT JESUS HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES.  We must make it clear to the world that He is the reason we are different.  It would be cruel to mislead people by telling them that we are good on our own.  The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  But when we believe that Jesus died for us on the cross and ask Him to be our Lord and Saviour, He begins to mold us and shape us to be better people. 

If you are a Christ-follower and people see you as a good person, make sure you give credit where credit is due.

Michelle

Yesterday I met someone and asked them if they were excited about Christmas.  Their reply was this:

“I’ve lived long enough to not be excited about anything anymore.”

This guy is in his forties and openly admits that nothing excites him anymore. Life is boring and dull.  He thinks he has experienced everything there is to experience. 

His comment wouldn’t leave my mind for the rest of the day.  I’m sure as a kid he experienced wonder, anticipation, excitement, and gratitude.  Sadly, life has chipped away at him and he has allowed himself to become hardened. 

But I believe he is merely expressing something that many people feel at Christmas time when they get a little older: things are not exciting anymore.

And maybe that is a good thing. 

Because Christmas is not about stuff.  Maybe this guy has realized that material things do not bring lasting joy and contentment.  No thing can.  Even Christmas decorations, family turkey dinners, and snow falling gently on a perfect winter day eventually lose their wonder.  Why?  Because the peace and fullness everyone craves comes through Christ alone.  Only when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour can we truly be joy-filled. 

In my experience, when I follow His lead and let Him control it, my joy and excitement overflows.  I see the world through a new lens.  I am excited about snow because my Creator made it.  I am excited about turkey because I see food as a blessing from my God.  I appreciate Christmas decorations because I am grateful for the eyesight I have been blessed with. And I appreciate family because of the spiritual journey they share with me throughout the rest of the year.  The seemingly mundane maintain their wonder.

This man was right.  Life is not exciting.  Everything, from travel to people to presents lose their appeal eventually.  Jesus makes life exciting.  He keeps it exciting.  He allows us to see life through a new lens that never gets old.  Are you experiencing that fullness this Christmas season? 

Michelle

Today’s post is super short, because it simply consists of one question I have been asking myself this whole Christmas season:

Am I worshipping Jesus or am I worshipping Christmas?

Let’s all take an honest look at our lives and motivations this week and answer this question. 

Michelle