By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35
Once a week, I’ve been shooting videos from the blog to post on Facebook. Usually, it’s pretty short and simple. I normally require just one or two attempts and then I’m done. Last week though, I climbed out the window of our second story bedroom onto the roof to shoot a video in which I told a story about jumping off the roof. It was anything but short and simple.
First, I cracked part of the window frame on the way out. Then, I simply couldn’t get the words right for the video. I tried a few times and just when I got the take I wanted, someone from work called, interrupting the recording on my phone. Then, it started to rain. The next take was interrupted when the stupid phone ran out of memory. The one after that was interrupted by a delivery guy next door who wanted to know what I was doing on the roof. By the time my wife leaned out the window to check on me, I was on the 9th or 10th take and I was fuming. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but it wasn’t kind. I was filled with frustration and that frustration simply poured out of me.
There I was, attempting to film a video for my Christian blog, while cussing and seething about how annoying it was. Pretty quickly, I realized how ridiculous I was, but still, I had to admit that I’d been a jerk. When I’m pushed or stressed, what is in me just naturally comes out.
In today’s passage, Jesus taught that just as he loved us, we must be so filled with his love that it pours out of us. When others look at us, they should see the love of Christ. If we call ourselves his disciples, we must be known for the love we show each other.
What do others see when they look at me? Do my friends and family see the love of Christ? Or do they see an angry man on the roof in the rain? I can shoot a fantastic video and still act like a monster. Jesus said that if I follow him, I must love those around me. Does my behavior show others that I’ve been transformed by God or does my behavior make them want to push me off the roof?