Loving Well...Even Challenging People- Part 1

"The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14 (The Message)
 
The Lord puts up with a lot. Adult believers whine and complain, we talk more than we listen, and our prayer requests easily turn from “wants” into “must haves”. On top of this, we continue to make life about ourselves – the same selfish, stubborn rebellion that the Lord endured among His people back to the days of Abraham. So what did the Lord do? He became human and moved in next door. Christmas allows us to celebrate the God who came in person to show us a different way to live. 
 
Now, lets consider for a moment how to encourage our kids to love challenging people. How do they accept that peer in their class who demands attention, who doesn’t seem to recognize his or her own selfishness or the way others tend to shy away from playing or working together. This issue is compounded when that annoying kid lives in the neighborhood, forcing the issue into your home. 
 
Hmm… Do you see the connection? Rather than avoiding us, the Lord drew closer to us. He showed us how to be unselfish, caring and considerate of others. He demonstrated in person the way to listen, and, as Philippians 2 tells us, how to “look out for the interests of others.” If God responded to our annoying behavior like we do to those who annoy us, we wouldn’t have much of a relationship with God. He might have packed up and created life on a different planet. 
 
He didn’t. Instead, He moved “into the neighborhood.” He came near to the very people who constantly seek to deny that this life is all about God and His glory. The best way to positively influence selfish, inconsiderate and annoying kids is to draw closer to them. This is difficult whether we’re talking about kids or adults, but it is absolutely Biblical. You, in person, do more to move people toward Christian maturity by your example than by your avoidance.  
 
As a first step, open the dialogue with your son or daughter about the annoying people in their world. Then talk about challenging people in your life. Together discuss ways that you can “move into” their world in a positive and meaningful way. Your “incarnational” ministry will bring a whole new dimension to the Christmas story – as you become the presence of the living Christ in the lives of others.