taking the initiative

The Golden Rule

12 "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

matthew 7

i was almost not going to blog on this passage. it was just so short that i was just going to pass it up and go straight to the wide and narrow gates. then i realized that Jesus didn't say these words, even if they are short, so that people can just pass by it. maybe this is something i should practice more often for myself. sometimes, i get really frustrated at people because i see what they're doing and i don't approve or i just simply don't like it. but i don't get the whole story. i just boil on it and don't tell anyone. and you know what? i hate it when people do that to me. i do something wrong and they never say anything about it until one day we just stop talking and i never find out until it all blows up. seriously, how hypocritical is that?? i do the exact thing that i cannot stand when other people do it to me. what i would want other people to do for me is be real with me, be straightforward with me, and at the same time, let me know that i am still loved. this shows me that they love me enough to let something come between us, that they would risk being rejected or humiliated so that our relationship can continue to grow and flourish. do i do this? man, i've got some work to do? i wonder what the church would be like if we all did to each other what we would like done to ourselves. how amazing would that be? and you know what, i'm tired of thinking about what it would be like, and i actually want to do it and see it! don't just wait around until someone does it for you! take the initiative! application, application, application, it's not just what we learn, but it's how we're so moved that we have to do something about it!

ask yourself, what is it that i cannot stand when people do it to me? and am i doing that to other people?? also ask, what would i like to be done for me, and then take the initiative and just go and do it! i think we'll all be amazed by what the outcome might be. =]

p.s. just for some scriptural background, the second part talks about how this is the essence of all that is taught in the law of the prophets, if you want to learn more, turn to matthew 22:37-40. the greatest commandment is loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds. and the second that is equal to that is....loving your neighbor as yourself! whoa! high up there, guys! loving everyone around us as ourselves. it's a challenge, but it's something i'm ready to be put the test to.