Hollywood, Hometown U.S.A.
These past few weeks I started to come to the horrifying realization that I am not the kind, caring, and compassionate person that I thought I was. Much like the scenario with my friend who eats pig tongue, I constantly find myself being incredibly impatient and annoyed with people. This is somewhat disturbing partly due to the fact that I am here to be a beacon of God’s light. I’m supposed to be an example of His love, kindness, and compassion rather than the guy who is always rolling his eyes when others talk.
Last night I had a conversation with this couple that wanted to play 20 questions about America. Normally I would love a chance to talk about home, but everything they knew of the U.S. is what they read in People magazine. It gets tiring when people ask you who your favorite celebrities are and what movies you like to watch. I had to explain to them twice that Hollywood is no where near my hometown and that I’ve never met any movie stars. The way they talked you would think that the entire U.S. is made up of Hollywood. Yes! Didn’t you know that it spans from coast to coast! The questions went on and on and I found myself fighting to keep the smile on my face. These moments frustrate me because I thought that I was getting to a point in my life where I could love everyone equally the way that God loves us.
When I came here there were some sacrifices that I had to make. I didn’t make those sacrifices with any one particular person in mind. I came here to reach anybody who was willing to listen. That doesn’t mean just the ones I like to spend time with or the one’s who speak good English. Sometimes the ones who are willing to listen are the ones who really get under my skin. This is where understanding and knowing the Father’s love is so important. His love is perfect. It knows no limits and has no prejudice. He is especially fond of each one of us and we each have a special place in his heart.
That is the kind of love that I’ve been striving for, but I think that striving to follow the example that Jesus Christ set for us is not what God has in mind. If we are just trying to follow something, we are still making the effort in our own strength. When Jesus Christ was here and he was fully human and also fully God, he was not following any example. Everything he did was done by allowing the Holy Spirit to live completely in and through him. I guess that comes through constant submission and surrender to the Lord. Always opening yourself up and allowing the Holy Spirit to live life through you. I think when we can do that, we are capable of loving fully and completely in spite of our annoying habits or personalities.