we have legos on the brain at our house latelyIn between Xochi wetting her pants, me taking her to the car to change her and standing with her at the back of our fellowship hall trying to keep her from shouting, "poo poo!" "toy-wet" "Gammy!" "Soup!" and whatever other thing that happened to pop into her adorable little head, my pastor shared a truth in his short devotion that sprang fresh in me.
It was, basically, this: Christ died not only to reconcile us to God but also to reconcile us to one another. We see this in the picture of the last supper that is presented to us in scripture. We see Christ, Lord of all, stooping low in self-sacrifice to wash His disciples' feet. He humbled Himself out of love for them and as an example to us of how to love others.
Our pastor asked if anyone could share some practical examples of a feet washing equivalent in the church today. I didn't raise my hand but I thought about his question. I thought about how we, even in the church, value success and recognition. We want to defend ourselves and our righteousness. We are like the son who, unlike the prodigal, stayed and obeyed. We do everything "right" and then we seek our own glory for it as if we deserve it. Sometimes, we obey so we can say we're righteous instead of obeying because we love God and want to be in relationship with Him.
But this is not the example Christ set for us. Christ bent low, did the dirty job and became a servant so that we could be reconciled. I thought of a few relationships in my own life that need healing and reconciling. Sometimes I am tempted to say, "Well, I've done everything I can. I'm done. I guess I'll just have to move on." And yet, Christ died so that I could be reconciled to my brothers and sisters. If I am to be like Christ then I am to keep loving, keep humbling myself, keep serving, keep sacrificing and keep doing the hard jobs... even whenI get dirty in the midst of it.
I looked around the room at my church family tonight and was filled with gratefulness at the gift God gave me in them. A gift that could only be truly fulfilled through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I am so thankful for this! In my own strength and wisdom, things can sometimes look hopeless. Yet, because of Christ, I can be reconciled to the church and can live in peace and unity with them. Because of Him, I am able to do the same with my husband and my children, my extended family, my co-workers, my friends (insert necessary relationship here). What grace!
