Proof

Written by cycleguy on October 7th, 2012

Not as in 90 Proof.  I honestly have no clue what that would mean (except maybe death?)…

BUT

Proof…as in “backing up what you say with actions.”

I have been entrenched lately with my current sermon series Not A Fan.  Reading, reading, reading. Studying, studying, studying.  Walking away. Returning to work some more. Convicted.  Disgusted (with myself and my sometimes weak faith).  Inspired.  Convicted. And the cycle goes on.

For the most part, we have it pretty easy here in the United States.  At this point we are not called on to “hide” like many are forced to do.  At this point we are not forced to register our church(es) with the government and receive their sanction to meet. At this point we do not have to meet in secret for fear of being arrested or even killed. At this point we don’t live with the reality that our church buildings can be  burned to the ground by militant and fanatical rebels who hate our faith and what we stand for…

YET.

That day may come.  Who knows?  All I do know is that no matter what is to come, the most important thing to focus on is the NOW.  Of course being entrenched in my sermon series has me thinking about it with some regularity. As I was heading home Saturday for my party after some time studying, I was listening to Air One.  I seldom listen to radio because they generally play “now-I-lay-me-down-to-sleep” music and incessant commercials.  I like uptempo music (preferably rock) and I despise commercials, especially endless ones that go on and on for about 5-10 minutes.  But this time Air One came in fairly clear so I left it on for the 2 mile drive home.  That was when I heard this song.  It was one I heard before but didn’t know who sang it.  I listened to the words and it reeled me in.   Please take a moment (3:18) and listen to the song.  Pay attention to the words.

A song written with I Corinthians 13 as the backdrop. The proof our love for Jesus is a life lived openly and with love for others.  Do you have trouble practicing this kind of love?  Do you make distinctions on whom you love and whom you don’t?

 

39 Comments so far ↓

  1. Tami Grandi says:

    Oh, that is one of my favorite songs and always ends up on repeat on my ipod. With current stuff going on in my personal life and professional life I am having to make more of an effort to love as Jesus loved and it’s HARD! When there are times I just want to walk away and say it’s not worth it- I have to remind myself THEY ARE worth it…

  2. Tami Grandi says:

    and this is a better version- I LOVE the monologue part of it

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MgVf8fzEiY

  3. Daniel says:

    I have struggled with this particular point for many years. If someone were to observe me as I go throughout my day, would they know that I was a Christ follower? Would they?

    I did enjoy the song. I had not heard this before. Blessings.

  4. Steve Martin says:

    I sure do have trouble living a “lie lived openly and with love for others.”

    I’m a very mixed bag. I do love, at times (not exactly sure about my motives though, even when I’m at my best)…but many other times I find myself angry with noisy neighbors, barking dogs, inconsiderate people, etc.. I also find myself envious of others and unwilling to sacrifice my off time (when I get off of work) for anything other than my own relaxation.

    I REALLY need a Savior. So much of the time, I am nothing like Him.

  5. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    God has had to work in me for many years in this area. I had to learn to break free of social fear. I now have mostly freedom in this area to love without distinctions. I still use some discretion about who I will offer to give a ride in my car, etc.

    Today at church I noticed a lady about my age sitting against the wall right at the back. She is native and looks disabled in some way. I shook her hand and smiled. After church I picked her up outside the church door and gave her a ride home. Her name is Sharon.

    I will have the freedom to talk to her, hug her, shake her hand, sit with her if I decide to, and I’m not affected much at all by what other people might think. I’ve worked hard and God has worked hard to get me to this freedom and I have no plans to let it go.

    I enjoy being able to do these things. Freedom is wonderful. I believe that my freedom in this area helps others to challenge themselves in social settings.

    I like this song too. The strings add a nice sound that is almost yearning or plaintiff at times.

    Be of good courage Bill with this series. I’m not sure of its content but I believe that Christians have to be aware that things are changing fast in our nations.

    The world is demanding conformity, and the persecution of abstainers seems to be part and parcel with this type of dictatorship thinking.

    • cycleguy says:

      Doing what you did for that lady is a great example of what this song is about Linda. Thanks for reaching out to her. Who knows what she may have been or is going through now.

  6. Jon Stolpe says:

    John 15:17

    It’s so plain and simple, but why is it so hard sometimes to love.

    For a great read on the subject of love, I’d highly recommend picking up a copy of Love Does by Bob Goff. This book will put new thoughts in your head about how to love someone.

    • cycleguy says:

      Good verse Jon. Couple of months ago I did something 2 or 3 weeks on that book. It was a fantastic read, one that I would put up in the Top 20 books I have ever read. Thanks for the suggestion and the visit.

  7. Jim F. says:

    I have several thoughts:

    I love Air One – they play the kind of Christian Music that I really enjoy.

    I love this song -actually downloaded it a while back – the monologue version.

    I found myself wrestling the very questions you ask yesterday as I talked to some people after service. Loving fully is not easy but it is certainly best!

    Good post as always Bill.

    • cycleguy says:

      I like it when it comes in. We live in a valley so the reception is not always good. Tami suggested the monologue version so reckon will need to listen to it. You are certainly right Jim. Loving fully is not easy but is best! Thanks.

  8. jeff says:

    Love is one of those words with 50 different meanings depending on who you ask. I am not sure what “A life lived openly means” Open to what?
    I do care, have empathy, and support where I can, all who have unmet needs.
    I do not love my enemies as some would suggest. This seems very unnatural. When I saw the planes fly into the towers in New York the emotion I had was not love by any definition. I actually prefer if no one else loves my enemies either.

    • cycleguy says:

      By a “life lived openly” I am meaning no pretense, no playacting, no cover up. Loving our enemies is a very unnatural thing to do i will admit. My thoughts of the planes was not one of love either. i still struggle with that. Thanks for your honesty jeff.

  9. Phil says:

    Good stuff Bill. I too get frustrated by my seeming inability to live out this perfect love all the time. It’s what I want to do, yet I still have too many moments when I let circumstances dictate how I love people. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and this song.

  10. floyd says:

    I confess I struggle to love everyone. Proof … that God has more to do with me, but like you, I study, confess and feel disgusted with myself. Then awed by God’s grace…

  11. Debbie says:

    “Love is sacrifice” . . .I think I forget that part. Kind of goes against the “warm fuzzies” love idea. 🙂 Thank you for helping us with loving others today and God bless!

  12. Abosolutely. I screw that kind of love up all of the time. Based on my relationships, I wonder, sometimes, if I love at all.

    • cycleguy says:

      I have had to learn that I can’t judge by whether I mess up upon occasion. He never stops loving me and leaves me a great example that I will need to keep loving.

  13. Ed says:

    Only His love for us is perfect in everyway…mine isn’t even a sliver of His shadow. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try.

  14. tcavey says:

    Funny, I hadn’t pegged you as Rock Music type.
    That’s the thing with blogs, we don’t really know people as well as we sometimes think.

    For the past 4 years I’ve been pondering our world and researching history (you really should read “7 Tipping Points that Saved the World” by Christ Stewart.)
    At first I got depressed, then angry (I think I went through the stages of grief) and now I have peace. Not because I’ve accepted things change and history does have a way of repeating itself- but because of the Love of God for His creation. I am a Child of God an I rest in His hands.
    Now I can focus on the NOW and let Him take care of the future. In the meantime, I have work to do and a book to get published!

    Gotta go listen to some rock now!

    • cycleguy says:

      Curious as to what you pegged me. i can promise you it is in no way, shape or form rap, R&B, or country. The first two literally turn my stomach sour. The latter I tolerate. I do like Rock- prefer classic and 80s. On the other: focusing on the NOW and letting Him take care of the future is the key. And…what kind do you listen to?

      • cycleguy says:

        Wanted to add: if you had called me you would have found my ringback tone was The Power of Love (Huey Lewis) for a couple of years. They discontinued it and it was Final Countdown. I found out last night I can get Power of Love again. Nice birthday present. 🙂

  15. What a convicting thought. It’s not only the fact that I’m supposed to live out love – it’s the radical height that my love is supposed to reach. I’m supposed to love my neighbor as myself. That’s a high standard.

    • cycleguy says:

      i am sorry Loren. I somehow missed this comment when using my phone. Radical height for sure, one that is often beyond my ability, but not His.

  16. Mike says:

    Awesome song taken from my favorite chapter in the bible. As I die daily to myself, I find more and more capacity to love others; and live the life Christ has called me to.

  17. Jan says:

    Everyday as I head to work, I pray that God will let my actions & words speak in His love. But I have to admit, there are times when I know I have chosen not to act in love, especially if involves one of my boys & a girl. I have really had to pray & work on loving EVERYONE, I may not like them, but I can at least show love & pray that God will work in their life through my love actions. Good post!