Jesus calls us to more than just rest; He calls us to an entirely different way of living.

Are you a reed swayed by the wind? Do you just live your life to please others? to make them more comfortable? to tell them what they want to hear?

I’ve struggled with this. And it pains me when my kids ask me why people lie or tell them something and never follow through.

Idle words.

“Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” Matthew 12:36-37 The Message

It really just all comes down to Love.

Liz asked me today why all the songs and movies and books are about Love.

The truth is that humans need Love and most of modern first world society has everything we need, everything that money can buy, but we can’t buy Love, and we seek after it, pursuing it, idolizing it, craving it in all its impure and fleshly perversions.

I explained that people long for Love, but modern society has twisted it to be perverted and unhealthy and the media doesn’t portray real Love.

The teen books, shows, and music teach that everyone needs a boyfriend or girlfriend to be accepted and worthy in our society.

The Bible teaches a different Love and it’s my job as a mother to revitalize that education and make sure my kids understand the difference.

Am I modeling Love? Am I practicing hospitality? Am I lovely? Do my words portray Love? Do my actions show Love?

We’re all so worried about competition that we overlook Love. We compete for the attention and recognition of others in all we do. We even compete to appear more Christian than others.

Does my home look like something from HGTV before I can invite others over so I can love on them? Do my kids have to dress like Gap models before we can go out to witness? Does my hair and makeup look like that of the supermodel on the cover of a magazine before I can be charitable?

Why do we deny the Exodus? God tried to teach us that things don’t matter. People matter.

Why do we thwart the Gospel? Jesus teaches Love. Love before anything else.

How can I minister to others with where I am right now?

Jesus sent His apostles out with nothing. Why must we hide behind our stuff? We are of so little faith that we can’t offer Love to anyone since we don’t trust Him or accept Love ourselves.

Love your neighbor for real and the world can change.

Shake up your status quo.

Loving others isn’t supposed to be comfortable.