United Fresno

I’m about to lose cool points. I’m about to sound old, I’m sure. But, you know what really frustrates me? I get really thrown off when I see a family together (on a vacation, whatever), and members of the family are all pretty much doing everything in their power to show that they are so over it. Mom is busy reading a book, off in romance novel land. Dad is checking his fantasy stats while also answering email on his Blackberry. Teenager has the ear buds in, listening to his music, texting with his friends, with a hood over the head, as if to say, “If I wear this magic hood, no one will notice that I am here; and everyone will leave me alone.” Oh, and even kid is on her DS, partying with Mario.

You can take the hint. They don’t enjoy one another’s company. They would rather pursue their lives, their hobbies. It’s written all over their faces.

What’s written on our faces?

Here’s what Jesus prays will be written all over us…

“‘That they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me’” (John 17:23b).

Jesus wants us to have God’s love written all over our faces. He desires for it to be obvious that there is an amazing, loving God. At United Camp, we are definitely going to be spending a good chunk of time talking about “social justice”; and I think that is a great place to show that obvious love. What’s our heart towards people? When we see a need, do we turn away from one another (kind of like that family that I mentioned earlier) or do we lean in and offer love and support?

What’s written on our faces?

Let’s be blatantly obvious about our love for God and His love for us to this world. Something tells me that, if we do that, that love is going to affect everyone around us…

“Lord, I am so thankful for the love that You have for me. If I’m honest, I know that oftentimes I don’t really reflect the love that You have for me in my life. I have a hard time accepting that You truly love me and truly forgive me for my sin. Father, I also have a hard time loving people. ______________ (confess to God any grudges, blow-ups, frustrations, or unforgiveness you may have). Lord, forgive me for taking Your love but not giving it to others. Father, I want to it be so obvious in the way that I treat others that I am Yours. I want my light to shine. Amen.”