By Hazel Holland
As I looked at this picture I was reminded of another scene where Jesus' followers were accused of turning the world upside down. I wondered what they were saying about the gospel that so disturbed the townspeople that they complained to the city authorities?
As I began to draw this new picture for my grandson, Jakey, I wanted it to be something that would bring him joy and make him laugh. The idea of having him look through his legs while standing in a puddle of water seemed like a fun thing to draw... until my world began to turn upside down as I tried to draw his reflection in the water!
Throughout the Bible and human history we are made aware of the strained and broken relationships that are the result of the clash between the dominant culture of the day and the spiritual kingdom that Jesus came to establish. Could it be that in a world where the haves write the rules for the have-nots, the gospel brings hope to the have-nots, but threatens to upset the comfort zones of the haves?
The Good News is preached to the poor, but the rich are sent away empty. Those who have broken hearts are comforted, but the proud and arrogant remain heartless. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are filled, but the self-righteous are too full of themselves. God’s kingdom proclaims freedom to the captives so that the blind see, but those who see continue to be blind.
The radical gospel calls us to love one another, including our enemies, as Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us. This spiritual kingdom that Jesus came to establish in our hearts is a kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. Will you allow His love to flow through your heart to others so that their world will be turned upside down, too?
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It seems to me that certain things about God's heart have been turned upside down by some of us who profess to know Him...
ReplyDeleteWe know how to perform "acts" of kindness in our neighborhoods for the world to see, but does it have anything to do with touching people's heart with the kindness of agape love? Do we perform "acts" of kindness because we want to freely give His love to others... or is it because we have been taught that if we give to others we will receive?
What blows my mind is that God's kindness towards us drives Him to move our hearts with NO STRINGS ATTACHED! His love is freely given to all!
So why is it then that we go out and often try to manipulate people with counterfeit kindness that has strings attached? Although people's flesh may get manipulated to perform the right behaviors, their hearts remain untouched...
Could it be that some people haven't yet experienced God's heart for them, because we haven't yet shown them His authentic kindness?
I'm so thankful that it is the kindness and goodness of God's love that leads us to repentance. He never uses shame or condemnation or fear tactics to get us to respond to His heart for us.
ReplyDeletePeople in the church do though... Although some of us do respond to God out of fear of what He will do to us if we don't shape up, I wonder if we have ever really given Him our hearts?
We may have head knowledge about Him, but do we have heart knowledge? Do we understand that when He died for us He freely gave us His heart? That's why it's our hearts that He is after... God wants an intimate relationship with us-- a heart to heart love relationship. ♥