“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Rom. 15:7
Dear Jesus, you know everything about us—all the beautiful, broken, bodacious, and bruised parts. Yet you accept us—with your heart, eyes, and arms wide open. Your desire for us never wains, and your delight in us is as constant as your loving heartbeat. We’ll never shock you, bore you, or grate on your nerves. We are so grateful, admit we often doubt you love “me” like this, and are earnest with our cry, “Help us!”
For you call us to accept others as you accept us, Jesus—which if taken seriously, is shocking, humbling, and stretching., We can’t/won’t love as perfectly as you do, but as those you love perfectly, we dare not dismiss this “word” as mere hyperbole, a calling filled with loopholes and exceptions, or a reality reserved for heaven.
Jesus, grant us thicker grace-skin and bigger Gospel-hearts. You don’t expect us to be passive doormats, but you do expect us to live as active foot-washers. What might this look like? Help us never forget, nobody is our project to fix or Play-Doh to mold. Jesus, take us from the safe harbor of our expectations and preferences into the open mercy-waters of curiosity, listening, and appreciation.
Nobody needs to fit nicely into the frame of this year’s family Christmas photo. Way better than that, you have made room in your heart to include, celebrate, adore, and enjoy each of us. We love being loved by you, Jesus. More than ever, may your love spill over into all of our relationships. So Very Amen.