Contagious...

Hey everyone, I want to take a moment and thank you for praying for Michelle. She has “Atypical legionella bacterial pneumonia”. (what a mouthful!) She is recovering and has been really sick. She isn’t now but was contagious. I thank God so much for those who have prayed her through. Please continue to pray. Our whole family is in a bit of unrest, but completely trusting God for His outcome.

Here is the bottom line: Sick happens. Staff are home in bed, kids are home from school, friends are sneezing and coughing – its that time of year.

Isn’t it funny how when you are sick people avoid you? Don't we all do it? I think that is what I hate most about sickness. Being contagious. As soon as people hear your croaky voice, or see your red sore nose, they pull their shirt over their mouth. Makes you feel special doesn't it? People start giving you the ‘side’ hug. Every meal, your kids are sure not to eat or drink after you. You are marked. Contagious. Sick.

Look at the definitions for contagious:

1. communicable by contact: catching

2. bearing contagion

3. used for contagious diseases

4. exciting similar emotions or conduct in others

Being contagious and keeping your distance. We have all been there. When you look at the stories in the Bible, how many times did Jesus heal people who no one else would be around? How many blind people, lepers, and diseased people did he touch, embrace, heal? Look at this story in Matthew:

“When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” Matthew 8:1-3

The fact is that Jesus did not need to touch the man to heal him. His word was enough. But how amazing for a leper, rejected by society, untouchable and unlovable to be touched by the Lord. As always, Jesus looked past the outward appearance to the heart. He was healing not only the physical, but also the emotional need within.

Jesus always treated people differently. He would be the first to hug them or hang out with them. Guaranteed if Jesus ate salsa he wouldn’t care at all about double dipping. Jesus liked the people we have a tendency to avoid. No, I take that back, He loved them for real, and those same people loved Him. Because of His unconditional love they were willing to listen to His teaching. I guess it comes down to the old adage "people don't care what you know, until they know you care".

The truth is, I do it more than anyone, and really don't notice it until I am the one coughing my face off. (Thank God for Dayquil, Nyquil and all of the other cold stuff.)

I have this thing in me, a natural reaction, to reject people, to be rude to them and to ignore them. I maybe don't "cover my face" with my coat or shirt collar, but really I may as well, because if someone doesn't fit in what I think, I can easily do the “rudely ignore” thing. We are pretty good at it.

I wonder if everyone who called themselves Christ Followers actually "followed" Christ. How different would the world be if we all stopped covering our faces and actually looked into the eyes of people who so desperately matter to God? People who will spend eternity somewhere. People who need to be loved, colds, coughs, disease, pain, baggage and all!

Look at the first part of Romans 12:9: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them…”

The wonder of grace is that we accept each other, love each other, cheer for each other, pray for each other, hug each other, help each other, and encourage each other. And, when the day is over, actually like each other.

Contagious. A difficult word in many ways, but a really great word in one way. The gospel is about both truth and grace, and my prayer is that Living Hope is always contagious with the message of God’s grace. No matter what, you will not want to miss this weekend as we share about all that God did in Nicaragua, and wants to do in and through our lives. We are all the salt of the earth. We are all called by God to be reconcilers. I think that’s what being contagious means. That we are carriers of the greatest news the world has ever known.

Whenever I travel there is always so much work that goes into preparing, so much exhaustion in the doing, but always so much joy in remembering. This weekend we will remember and celebrate what matters.

I’m excited that this weekend at 1pm we will be offering the first ever combined service with our Hispanic Campus. Pastor Felix will translate my message live, and we have a guest from their worship team on our stage as well. I hope you can TIVO the game and be part of this service.

Cheers with cough medicine.

Pastor John

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