Can You Relate?

A few years ago I was taking a graphic design class at WT. Like any other group of people do, we had formed smaller groups with shared interests. My particular group hung out because we really didn't fit with the crowd of class favorites. I may have said this before, but I never really got along with the graphic design professor at WT. Anyway, this particular day we had began to discuss God and church. Wendell, the other male in the crew said he didn't like church because of all the rules. The others, both female, gave their insight. Me, I kept trying to remember when any rules had been forced on me in church. Either I was naive or just ignored the rules. When it came my turn to ask a question, as if we were taking turns, I asked if they thought I'd be a good pastor. God had been laying a call on my heart that I didn't quite understand, yet. In fact, it would be at least a couple of years before I even realized it was a call.
The girl who answered me had a name. It eludes me for some reason. That's kind of sad, because I became a sort of confessional for her between classes as we talked after this day. She told me that I would be a good pastor. She didn't really know my Biblical knowledge or my beliefs, so I asked her why she'd think that. The answer she gave was simple and has helped me as I develop my faith. "You always see both sides," she said. She referred to arguments and to church.
A lot of Christians I meet have a tendency to judge. I don't mean they condemn people. To be honest, I do it as well. We see certain types of dress or makeup or lifestyles and we categorize people by their choices. Of course, it isn't just Christians who do this, but humanity in general.
Every Christian has been on both sides of the cross. Even those of us who were raised in church have strayed away at times, searching for ourselves as much as God. Why is it that we tend to forget who we were? Sure we're forgiven and we're new people, but we are still human. Those who Jesus miss, those we call lost, are just the same as you and me. Pointing out our differences won't show them the love of Christ. It is through kindness that our Father leads us to repentance. What makes us think we're any different.
As Jesus' body here on earth, we've got to remember in our hearts and minds what it is that we have been saved from. If we just forget, we not only lose our ability to relate to those God leads us to, but we forfeit God's grace in a way. Think of Tommy Lee Jones character in Men in Black. In order to return to the woman he loved, he had to have his mind erased of all his exploits with extra-terrestrial life. He could no longer relate to the MIB.
Spend some time with God reflecting on your life. Where were you before the cross came into the picture? What has Jesus done with you since then? What have you done with Him? Be thankful for what God has done for you. And look for people who need Jesus that you can relate to. Remember, we've all been there at some point.