Change (part 3)
I read an amazing quote by Donnie Petty recently: "Come as you are, leave as He is." It's a simple statement but it's loaded with the things God's presence is able to achieve for those who draw near to him. God's love is so able that it doesn't require me to clothe myself with anything when I approach Him. He knows that there's nothing in me that is a weakness that His love can't handle. And that's the power of love, its ability to embrace one as one is and thereafter catalyze change. 'Strong' love does not require one to change before it can embrace you. It takes me in as I am then challenges and empowers me to change for the better. This then means my in/ability to accept another's imperfections is a reflection of the strength of my love.
Many times you'll find that we want people to change into what we like and approve of in order for them to qualify for our love; our love is weak. God loved liars and murderers, prostitutes and tax-collectors; Jesus ate with sinners and was always surrounded by the weak and needy. Do not get me wrong, He did not leave them the way they were, but he also did not start by trying to change them. Change came along the way.
Jacob is true to his name from birth, a deceiver, but still he is the one God prophesied about, saying he would rule over his older brother. God doesn't change him from the get go but he walks with him and it slowly dawns on Jacob who God is. Then comes a point where he is changed from Jacob to Israel, one who struggles with God, one who wrestles with God, one who holds onto Him until he is what he was said to be in the beginning, blessed. The same with Abram and Saul, one was a liar the other a murderer pursuing the Church, but as they met with God and encountered His love they were changed from the inside out to being Father Abraham and the Apostle Paul.
God expects us to love others with the same love He has loved us with (remember the parable of the unmerciful servant) and if that be the case we ought to love first and seek change thereafter. I cannot expect change where I haven't sown love. Bazalwane, if I have to be like you to be loved by you, your love is weak. So let us sow seeds of love in our homes, our communities, in our work places, in our churches and wherever we go, then we will see a bountiful harvest of change.
Many times you'll find that we want people to change into what we like and approve of in order for them to qualify for our love; our love is weak. God loved liars and murderers, prostitutes and tax-collectors; Jesus ate with sinners and was always surrounded by the weak and needy. Do not get me wrong, He did not leave them the way they were, but he also did not start by trying to change them. Change came along the way.
Jacob is true to his name from birth, a deceiver, but still he is the one God prophesied about, saying he would rule over his older brother. God doesn't change him from the get go but he walks with him and it slowly dawns on Jacob who God is. Then comes a point where he is changed from Jacob to Israel, one who struggles with God, one who wrestles with God, one who holds onto Him until he is what he was said to be in the beginning, blessed. The same with Abram and Saul, one was a liar the other a murderer pursuing the Church, but as they met with God and encountered His love they were changed from the inside out to being Father Abraham and the Apostle Paul.
God expects us to love others with the same love He has loved us with (remember the parable of the unmerciful servant) and if that be the case we ought to love first and seek change thereafter. I cannot expect change where I haven't sown love. Bazalwane, if I have to be like you to be loved by you, your love is weak. So let us sow seeds of love in our homes, our communities, in our work places, in our churches and wherever we go, then we will see a bountiful harvest of change.
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