Jesus, Love, and Soccer

So God's been teaching me a lot about love. So many times we as Christians live out of duty...going to church every Sunday, doing "good" things, loving people because we're supposed to, etc. But God will not love us any more or any less if we do those things. We live in God's unconditional grace through Jesus. It's all about love. Paul prayed for the Ephesians not that they would be able to do more good works to feel good about themselves, but that

they would be able to grasp how

WIDE

and

LONG

and

HIGH

and

DEEP

is the LOVE of CHRIST

that we would know this love IN ALL OF ITS FULLNESS

that we would REST in this love

that we would be ROOTED in this love

This love is scandalous. It's the kind of love that is almost embarrassing because it is absolutely undeserved. On Sunday at a house church we are going to, a brother spoke about Luke 5:27-31 where Jesus calls Levi to follow him. Levi was a tax collector - a low down cheat in those days - and Levi threw a banquet for Jesus and invited all his friends (who were also cheats and the ones who had a reputation for being really bad "sinners"). People freaked out b/c Jesus claimed he was God but was hanging out with the scoundrels of the town. But his response to people was this,

Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? [obviously the sick!] I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.

I want that...a love that loves every part of me, who desires to affect all parts of me, even the most filthy and embarrassing.

I've also been thinking about my tendency to love only the "healthy" (those who appear to have it all together). Because when you love people who are "sick," sometimes people talk about you like they did Jesus. But Jesus thought it was worth it...they are worth it.

There are some guys who play soccer in our neighborhood every day at sunset. And I've gone a few times and played with them...I think they're shocked that I can actually play. The first time I had jeans on (NOT EASY to play soccer in jeans on an uneven, muddy field) but Menuka, our house helper, said that I could wear basketball shorts. I felt so scandalous walking to the field and then having everybody watching me play...because girls just don't wear shorts, not even capri's. But I guess playing football is the exception. Anyway, Victoria told me that those guys are always having parties and doing drugs, etc. While I would never put myself in danger (I don't go alone to play, etc) I don't think I should just run away because they're "bad." So pray for opportunities to talk about Jesus and show them his love. And maybe even try to find some girls who play soccer too!

Indian Sunrise...4:30am

(this was @ 5:30...maybe someday i'll have more motivation to get up earlier)

Two brothers after house church on Sunday. So jolly.

Football!