Update #73

Love one another as I have loved you…if you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples." John 13:35-36

Downtown San Francisco

What are you known for? A friend of mine in Japan is known for his kanji characters, another for her pastry, another for her floral arranging, another for her clean house, another for her photo albums, another for his zest for color and ability to create, another for his culinary concoctions.

A more intimate, question would be “What do you want to be known for?” Most of us want to be known for our character attributes vs. what we yield. We want to be known as compassionate, empathetic, caring, thoughtful, generous, sympathetic, considerate, openhearted, honorable, trustworthy, charitable, unselfish, selfless, attentive, understanding, and/or supportive (to list a few).

The Bible says, as Christians we are to be known by our love. God defines love as patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or proud, not rude, not insisting on its own way and not irritable or resentful. Love rejoices with truth, is long-suffering, has hope, endurance and is eternal and unending. This is how Christians are earmarked - through our loving treatment of others. Does this describe you and your every interaction? How well do you align with God’s way of treating others? I didn’t do favorably.

I like things neat and organized (i.e. my way). I have difficulty tolerating abrasive people. I am not very patient with those in sin – those who know it but don’t want to change. I can be rude when in a hurry. I can be irritable (especially when it is blazing hot and I am tired) and can become resentful when hurt. And, unfortunately, my love isn’t eternal and unending…it can be conditional at times.

Where do you falter? What areas of love’s definition cause you to stumble and fall? Why do you wobble? For me it is plain…self-centeredness; I am more concerned about me, my needs, my wants, and them being met - than I am about others. Ouch.

I don’t think I am alone. I know this because the Christians surrounding me don’t always love me, treat me, consider me as God would. We get into ourselves, our mess, our needs, our desires, our hurts, and become blind to others around us. We navel gaze and our world becomes very small – very small indeed – where the only concerns worth addressing are ours.

Fighting self-centeredness, selfishness, and an ego-centric lifestyle is hard and can only be won with God. Try to do it on your own and you will exhaust yourself.

Where to start? Where can you start consistently showing God’s love to others? At work? At home? At play? Start anyplace where can you put others before yourself and treat them as God would…

Updates:
Living – I am living with my relatives, the Johnsons have made an offer on a property in Los Gatos and so I may be moving in the next few months.
Work – working mainly from home and I commuting to meetings. It is such a blessing having a home with Wi-Fi, a printer, copier…and AIR CONDITIONING!
Travel – heading to Tahoe over the 4th of July holiday weekend to meet with friends from Seattle who are coming down for a conference

Requests:
Housing – a little space somewhere close to the Johnsons will soon be needed! I would love a little cottage!
Work – for the upcoming training – we need a coordinator and recruits! Also for perseverance through this transitory time – it is hard being scattered, working virtual, and trying to stay on top of “the next thing.”
Purpose – I really feel part of my purpose is intercession and am taking a class that is quite in-depth. Pray that I can assimilate what I am learning and figure out how to best share it with others.
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present.
Financing - If you are interested in contributing, please see ‘Contribute’ at http://www.repurposing.biz/ on the left of the page, or visit http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and read the footer for additional info.

Dena

PS Happy Fourth of July to you Americans and Canada Day to the Canadians!