So, I am reading this book as research on faculty writings at a specific graduate school. The book is titled, "Performance in Preaching (Engaging Worship): Bringing the Sermon to Life." Obviously, the book is about preaching and worship styles. However, I can't stop thinking about the phrase of a kindergartner who climbed into her grandfather's lap and simply said,"Tell me again that Jesus loves me. I keep forgetting."
Isn't it that simple? Don't we all forget sometimes? Moreover, aren't the struggles that we experience almost always inherently tied to the despair and lack of perceived love?
Two pastors that I respect asked very similar questions of me. They asked simply, "Why?" Why haven't I pursued ministry, higher education, larger goals? The answer was very simple. I never felt worthy. You see, when your own mother allows you to be abused, mistreated, treated with disrespect and injustice...how could anyone else love you? Somewhere in my childish mind, I remember feeling that I must just be bad. So, you take that with you. You allow others to mistreat you. Honestly, you mistreat others a long the way as well. Because if your own mother doesn't love you...you must just "be" bad.
But, it doesn't work that way. My mother was/is incapable of loving herself. So, in that...the expectation that she could possibly love my brother, sister, and I...Well, that's pretty impossible. The injustices of humanity are separate from God's love. That voice I hear that says I am capable, I am kind, I am fearless, I can do anything, I am reasonable in the face of anger...that's God's love. It doesn't come from my childhood. It doesn't come from past relationships. It comes from both within and without. It's inherent. It's like when Dr. Bob Hill says, "God loves you. And, there's nothing you can do about it." Fantastic! I mean really? It's like we've won the lottery. I'm flawed and mean sometimes and God still loves me. I can be alone and not lonely. I can be in the dark...and find this pinpoint of light that provides hope. That's God's love.
So, back to the title...maybe our obligation (I know some of you don't like this word) as Christians or even just fellow humans is simply to remind others that they are loved. Maybe, it's that simple. One can't always say "God loves you." I know some of my fundamental friend are shouting/arguing at/with me as you read this. But, it has to be what the person can hear. Sometimes, those words are too much, too profound, too unbelievable. Maybe showing God's love is the reminder. Maybe offering grace to those who are difficult to love, setting boundaries, sharing a meal, might be all it takes.
I think we all keep forgetting. We forget how very much we are loved. In our denomination, it's about all being welcome at the table. I think that's huge. But, I am a parent. I also grew up Baptist. Those two things combined give me a sense of what salvation means and how God was able to demonstrate just how deeply the world was/is loved by allowing Jesus to walk with us.
So, remind someone. Maybe your wife or significant other. But, maybe not. How about the lady who gives you the "stink eye" in the car pool lane? She might need it more than you know today.
