whatchootalkinbout, Jesus?

My parents are vacationing with some friends in Ireland right now…a trip of a lifetime. Daddy has always wanted to go to Ireland because of his Irish heritage. And because of his love for golf, they arranged to attend the Ryder Cup while in Ireland.

Mom called last week and said they stuck out like sore thumbs at the tournament. Earth to Mom! When you wear matching American flag shirts and flag visors in a foreign country, you are going to draw attention to yourselves. My dad and his friend were even interviewed by a local radio show. Daddy, don’t get too excited…they wanted you on the show so they can make fun of your southern accent. Please tell me you didn’t say, “How ‘bout them Dawgs!!!

I got to thinking…How are we as Christ-followers supposed to stand out in a crowd? Should we be standing on the street corners with our Christian tracts in one hand and a bullhorn in the other, shouting “Turn or burn!”? Or do we behave the opposite way by staying in our “holy huddles”, isolating ourselves from those we are called to witness to? The answer is clear in Matthew 22:36-40, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Whatchootalkinbout, Jesus?

Two simply stated commandments, although not easy ones. What is simple is not always easy. And if they were natural for us to do, Jesus wouldn’t have had to tell us, point blank, to do them. Loving God means obeying Him. Loving others means accepting them and serving them. It’s not the Christian t-shirts or bumper stickers that make us stand out. It’s not about judging or condemning others. It’s all about the love. Period.