Love is everything without an action

living each day choosing to be uncomfortable... It sounds like self-hate huh? Well, today in Church we talked about living outside our comfort zone. whether, it's getting out of the country and into the inner-city, going out instead of staying in, giving it a try rather than wondering what if, speaking out rather than choking down... what ever your comfort is, try stepping out. Say hi to a stranger even when it's hard, strike up a conversation in the grocery store line without knowing what you have in common, ask for help instead of struggling in silence... all of these things are getting out of the norm. It's really no stretch, it's those things that tug on your heart... "just get up out of your chair", "just do it"," just say it"," just hug her"... it's God led intervention into another life and, at times, it's hard and uncomfortable.

What if we saw everyone as God created them... equal. What if when you are sitting at the red light and see a homeless person you really saw a brother or sister in need not the dirty, suspicious-looking shell we choose to see through. Or what if we didn't prejudge a person by the size of their bankbook. What if when we are hurting we just said it instead of acting like we are all OK and hunky-dorey? What if we said those things that may hurt but people need to hear... what if?

There are so many examples in the bible of Jesus doing, saying and living outside the norm and people flocked to Him because He was true. What you saw and what you heard is what you saw lived out without compromise. He gave and gave unconditionally to those God brought to him and then ultimately; he gave his everything for those He knew did not understand but one day would. He gave so that we would have a future.

I don't pretend to think we can live as Jesus did but I know without doubt He is calling us to choose life outside the box. Seeing into one another and caring enough to stop and help when we are called to, give until we can't, and love without limits no matter what. Now, do not misunderstand me, loving without limits is loving and supporting, sometimes... that means having to step back and love from afar, setting boundaries, saying no, and interceding on their behalf from a distance. Love is everything without an action, it's nothing you can just do, it's something you have and only God births. Everything else springs forth from love.