The waitress poured us another cup of coffee. Not seeing the bottom of our cups for a couple of hours would earn her a nice tip. Measly morsels from breakfast lingered on empty plates as we slowly revealed our crumbs of angst. Realizing we’d both had similar frustrating weeks, my friend sighed, “I started to come see you last week.”
“So, why didn’t you?
“I don’t know. I started to.”
“You can come see me anytime. If you’re willing to take me as I am, I am willing to be found!”
As my words echoed back through my mind later, I realized how far God has brought me. I used to think I’d be judged as a poor housekeeper, an unconcerned mother, or plain ol’ lazy if someone dropped in and found a floor full of scattered toys or dirty dishes in the sink. It didn’t matter that I had a job, coached a team, ran two kids all over the county, spent time with my husband, taught Sunday school, and tried to stay connected to friends. Everyone else handled all those things gracefully while maintaining a house fit for a Southern Living photo spread. So, why couldn’t I find that same energy and graciousness?
Thankfully, I now realize that many people I knew back then merely appeared to have it all together. In reality, their world was just as messy as mine. Today, I gratefully welcome unannounced friends, even when they find the house in disarray and me a sweaty mess. (They may not want a sweaty hug, but they’ll always get a smile.)
I am happy to have friends who take me just as I am. That kind of love gives me an in-the-flesh picture of Jesus. Remember Romans 5:8? “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” What better way to communicate God’s love than to accept everyone we meet just as we find them?
We don’t have to agree with their lifestyles or beliefs; we simply meet them where they are and connect before we correct. We don’t have to have a glistening spiritual resume. In fact, the more weakness we confess, the more common ground we’ll find. In finding common ground, we won’t intimidate others but imitate Jesus. The more we die to ourselves and accept others as they are, the more intriguing our less-than-perfect lives become. Finding common ground keeps us from seeing differences as threats. I don’t know about you, but when I feel threatened, I bristle up like a porcupine, and porcupines don’t look like Jesus.
Paul worked hard to find this common ground. He explained to the Corinthians, “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. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23, NLT)
We feel truly blessed when our hearts finally feel what our heads have always known – God loves us no matter what, Jesus paid for ALL our sins, and the Holy Spirit leads us to the BEST places! We are free to be who God meant for us to be – joyful, content, and living with a purpose.
Listen closely and hear Jesus whispering to your heart, “You can come see me anytime. If you’re willing to be found, I’m willing to take you as you are!”
