I am struck as I see another one of those bumper stickers that was taking a cheap shot at religion. (I hate political and religious bumper stickers of any kind by the way - we can't share the gospel with those closest to us, yet we have a soapbox bumper sticker for perfect strangers to read and not respond....lame!) I know the bumper sticker that says "Abortion stops a beating heart." Well, the sticker I saw today read, "Religion stops a thinking mind." Rather than react in anger (which was certainly the desired result of the driver), I thought about it for a second. And to be perfectly honest with you, I think I can see why someone would think that. They have had a snapshot of "religion" where they have witnessed someone doing something they think is irrational, and have concluded that only those without any sort of ability to reason or "think" as they put it, would follow any sort of religion. I disagree with them, since only the dead lack thinking minds. But here's my point...
We do the same thing as Christians. We take a snapshot of our "enemies" at their worst and make that the poster image for why we are glad we are not like them. Why does this sadden me???
Because when we were at our worst, Christ wasn't taking pictures.
Instead, He pursued us with His love, even when we put him on the cross. We need to think past the sinful images we have of our neighbors and co-workers and view them as Jesus does....a soul desperately in need of His truth - THE truth of His unending love. When we are tempted to remember someone at their worst - our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family - spouses...we need to be reminded that we are no different, and therefore no better. We need to listen to the profound truth of the gospel yet again - humility, grace, forgiveness. Then and only then, can we love like Christ.....and that is the smartest bit of reason and most rational thing I can think of.
