By This We Are Known

It was show and tell day at school.  The little kindergartener wanted to create someting to take.
He told his mother, "I want them to see what's in me.  I want them to see I can be an artist."

So he took a small box and with his mother's help creatd a jungle scene with green construction paper
for grass, blue paper for the sky, darker blue paper for a watering hole and a collection of cut out animal figures he had colored. 

This is quite a risky move on his part.  What if the kids in his class laugh at him?  What if they don't see the artist inside him working its way out?  What if his work of love and self-giving is not appreciated?

Jesus told his disciples, "Love one another as I have loved you.  By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  (John 13:34-35)  Earlier Jesus had gathered up his robe around himself, knelt down, and washed their dirty feet as a sign of servanthood.  Later, he would lay down, offer up his very life on their behalf and for the whole creation.

For too long we in the Christian community have settled for a faith that is based on affirming certain beliefs.
While beliefs are important, they are not the whole picture. 

People need to see the workings of God's love in us.  No amount of fancy PR or slick advertizing will do.
Only faith making itself active in loving action.  And until people see God's love  working itself out through our lives, we will continue to struggle to find a way to impact the hearts and lives of our culture and communities. 

They will see God's love through our weaknesses and our strengths, our failures and achievements...and most of all in our risks of self-giving.   Then the Word of God will become flesh and blood through us.

It's worth serious pondering on the journey.