Disposable People

I believe the "Church" is a family. I treat the people in my family a certain way. I love them, try to respect them and their individuality, I would do just about anything for them. Isn't that as it should be? If a family member is struggling or hurting I would offer help, support and love. I would under gird them in prayer. I would offer any type of tangible help I could.

What ever happened to the old fashioned, dare I say "Biblical" values we heard about years ago, with our grandparents? (Well, not MY grandparents...but you know!) What ever happened to loyalty? What ever happened to people who cared so much it showed in everything they said and did?

Much of what I see in today's culture is disposable. If we don't like it, we dispose of it. Gone. I don't have to deal with anyone I don't like or doesn't agree with my theology. If they make me uncomfortable, or if they say something I feel is inappropriate I will throw them out like yesterday's trash. I see something else in scripture that makes me want to aim higher.

For instance; the story of the good Samaritan. He saw a hurting man on the side of the road and assisted him. This dude went out of his way to help him. He used all of his resources, his time, his money and his love to make sure the hurt man recovered. The religious dudes didn't inconvenience themselves at all. This is not what God had in mind when He sent Jesus. As a matter of fact, the self-righteous attitudes of the Pharisees and religious leaders in Jesus day was a stink in the nostrils of God. He hates it! And God doesn't "hate" much. He IS LOVE!

My life's mission is to be the REAL DEAL. The Love that has saved me. The Love that doesn't walk away when things get hard. The Love that transforms lives and lifts us out of the dirt and slime we came out of! When things get hard and we persevere, we come out on the other end with something stronger and more difficult to break. God intends us to face problems, talk about issues, come to a resolution and move on. I believe these challenges are God's plan. They make us stronger in EVERY way if we deal with them head on and not run from them. If we allow the difficulties of life to stop us from growing in this way we've allowed the enemy to steal victory after victory in our lives. It is not God's plan for us to avoid difficulties or difficult people.

If you are my "friend"...you are a friend FOR LIFE. If you disappoint me, I'll live. If you hurt me, I will get over it. I don't walk away. I don't give up on people. You are not disposable to me.