Awareness

Do you often have the chance to spend some time with a heightened sensitivity and proclivity towards compassion for others? I believe this is what we're called to do in loving one another.

There is a constant battle between the depths of my wicked heart and softest, most gentle God-fearing section of my soul to care.
Let me put it another way, my desire, entirely God-given, that I'd like to own up to fully is to serve others compassionately, passionately, genuinely as a minister of reconciliation, peace, truth and love- because without it, I am nothing.
The reality is that every day I wake up and am lucky if, after shutting off my alarm, my first thought is "prayer" rather than back to sleep!
The reality is that I often hold my tongue for fear that what would naturally come out would be sharp, destructive and unedifying.
The reality is I probably care more deeply about what I am wearing than your problems or life story.
That sounds harsh and who wants to believe that about me? I could pass.
Now, before you feel like I just let you down -like off a cliff into a river of alligators- let me tell you the good part:

This is WAR, my friends!

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." Philippians 3:12

I like clothes, but I love you. I agape you. I am obligated to you in a good way and by the grace of God, am a light or avenue of counsel or even a friend.

DAILY we must fight.

When I use the word fight in regards to sin, think full scale assault straight out of Braveheart or Lord of the Rings. Think tiring, painful, difficult, but know that it's worth it.
Know that it's worth it to put to death selfishness, to get your friend's mascara on your shirt as they cry in your arms. Know that it's worth it to ward off foolishness and laziness and BE, live like, behave as a child of God, a co-laborer with Christ, redeemed and empowered.

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.Brothers,join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. " Philippians 3:13-17