Traci Vanderbush

On my mind this morning. It's a weak analogy but...
Imagine that you come across a loving, powerful, forgiving, and encouraging individual. You're having a conversation with him. His words fill you with life and hope that you've never known before. You feel you belong. You feel empowered.
Suddenly, you're attacked by a group of thugs who want to steal everything you have and leave you for dead.
This amazing man steps in and covers you. He tells the thugs, "Let him go. You can take me instead."
He gets brutally beaten, so badly that he doesn't even look human anymore. He, even in his dying, extends love to you. He dies, but later he is brought back to life.
You ask him, "What can I do for you? How could I ever repay?"
He expresses that all he wants is for his friends, family, and acquaintances to live in peace and be one together. In fact, this is what he prays for...asking God that they all be one so that the world would know about his love.
Would you respect his wishes?
Would you be appalled and saddened by the bickering, accusing ways of people that "know" him?
Would you give him what he asked for?
To be a name-caller...to be divisive...and to demean another in his name would be a slap in his face.
Yet, we as Christians, have forgotten The Way, and we slap Jesus in the face over and over again with our idiotic, self-righteousness.
Have we forgotten The Way once again during this election?
Lift up your head.
Raise your eyes.
Look at Him. Just look into His eyes. Stop trying to force the gaze of others and trust the one who loves us all.
By putting our trust in this political system we've built, we forget Truth. We forget his request.
Can't you hear the cry of the man who went through hell? Will you give him what he asked for?
(John 17:20-22)

Source: Traci Vanderbush  -  Posted on FB 15 Oct 16