“You’re in for a shock.”

A thought by Brant Hansen (2015-04-14) from his book, Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (p. 76). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Now that is only the last part of the thought. It did what it was suppose to do, it got you to stop and read the rest. Here it is.

Brant says, “If you think people are drawn to you by an impressive religious résumé, you’re in for a shock.”

He goes on, “When people are in crisis or need to know that God loves them, that they’re not alone, they don’t seek out the guy who thinks he’s Mr. Answer or who radiates superiority and disapproval. They want someone who loves God and who loves them.” They will go to someone who shows through their life that they love God and they love them.

He continues, “Refusing to be offended by others is a powerful door-opener to actual relationships. I don’t expect people who aren’t believers to act like followers of Jesus. Why should they? How about I give up the sanctimonious act and just love them, without thinking I need to change their moral behavior? Why not leave that to God? He’s still changing my own behavior, after all. Again, it’s simple humility. I know God wants my heart and wants their hearts. He wants us to turn away from ourselves and turn to Him. He can handle the rest. He loves them even more than I do. At some level, of course, I enjoy trying to control the behavior of others. Only problem: I can’t even fully control me.”

We have a part to play in making a difference in making in people’s lives. As Brant says, “How about I give up the sanctimonious act and just love them.” Just love them.

Who needs you to just love them today?

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