Loving the Difficult: Seeing Others as God's Masterpieces

So, I’ve been reading and writing about how we need to try and live like Jesus would etc. As kids we were taught the Golden Rule (Jesus’ rule) threat others the way we want to be treated. Great idea, not so easy to do. Just yesterday, the clown with no trailer lights going 17 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone wasn’t getting treated by me like I would like to be treated. And just like that, I blew an opportunity to show grace. We all know that loving everyone, even the ones we don’t like is hard. But Jesus said we need to so...I guess we need to try. Because if we are going to love like him we need to love ‘em all, even the ones we don’t want to. (Insert College Football Fan enemy here)Jesus said the greatest law was to love God and to love people. It’s really important to Jesus, no loopholes or getting out of it. So, how can we love others when it doesn’t come naturally to us? We’ve got to change the way we see them. First, we’ve got to realize that we’re all made in the image of our Creator. Think about that for a second. You, and every person you know, was hand-crafted by God. And all of us are created in His image. Isn’t that mind-blowing? Hard to imagine Gator Fans in Gods image, I know, but it’s true. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we’re God’s masterpieces. So, first, believe that about yourself. God created you exactly the way He wanted you. And when you believe that, it’s easier to extend that kind of love and acceptance to others. Secondly, if everyone is a masterpiece, that means every time you say something negative to someone, you’re insulting God’s most beautiful creation. It stops you cold, right? It does me, and I blow it all the time...James, Jesus’ brother, had some powerful words about this, too. He wrote the book of James in the Bible, and he said that with our mouths we worship God and then with those same mouths we curse people around us who are made in God’s likeness. Oh boy... When you worship God on Sunday, are you turning around and tearing people down on Monday? Let’s change the way we see the “others” in our lives. Let’s start seeing them as significant. And then let’s start treating them the way Jesus would treat them. So, the next time you’re tempted to speak or act like a jerk to someone around you (dude with no trailer lights), consider this: How would Jesus treat this person? Then do that. I’ve got some work to do, talk to y’all tomorrow. Peace,