Thursday, August 31, 2023
I had a conversation with my sister last week. We talked about our mother, who got sick when I was seven and put herself in a nursing home when I entered middle school. My sister mentioned our mom always went out of her way to find common ground with everyone.
After I thought about it, I realized she was right. Mom’s friendships were a colorful display of God’s creations. When Mom was wronged, she never held onto the disrespect, betrayal, or ignorance for long.
There’s the story about Joe, who told my mother she couldn’t swim at his house when they were eight—because she was black. It didn’t matter that my grandmother worked for Joe’s parents. The two were from different worlds, but Mom didn’t allow uncommon ground to block the potential for a great friendship. That same Joe lifted Mom out of the car and into her wheelchair and pushed her through the doors of their 25th high school reunion.
When I was in the fourth grade, Mom befriended a woman who fell on hard times. Mom even invited her to live with us until she got back on her feet. We didn’t have anything to give but hope. My mother saw struggling people as “Mr. Wendal.” They might be without, but they remain God’s people. Perhaps they just need a reminder from someone who loves people the way they themself want to be loved. Plus, you just never know what you might gain from the encounter.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
Lead Pastor Ben Snyder said, “We’re finding common ground out of love for people—people God cares about.”
I know my mother shared her faith with others and often prayed for them, but I was too young to realize what Mom was doing for the friend she took in. I never saw that woman again after those few months she stayed with us—until recently—when she walked through the lobby at the CedarCreek Findlay campus. It had been 34 years, but I never forget a face!
Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I’m grateful for the way my mom demonstrated how neighbors should love each other. Shouldn’t we all take time to find common ground and share our faith out of genuine love for our neighbors?
Questions:
Do you share your faith without a personal agenda? Do you attempt to be sensitive to the needs of people who you don’t relate to?
Next Steps:
Don’t wait for someone to walk through the church doors to connect. Go to their house, invite them to grab coffee, or pick up the phone. Listen to someone’s story without waiting to respond. Share your spiritual journey.
Prayer: Day 18 - For My Enemies (Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV))
Lord, I pray for my enemies who have hurt me or wronged me in any way. I ask you to forgive them and to bless them with your grace and mercy. I pray that you would soften their hearts and open their eyes to see the truth of your love. I pray that you will heal the wounds and bitterness that have been caused by our conflict. I pray that you would help me to forgive them as you have forgiven me, and to love them as you have loved me. Lord, I pray that you would make us both instruments of your peace and reconciliation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
1 John 4:10-11
10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
This post was written by Jaron Camp, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.