“There is so much in me that needs to die”  (Nouwen)

I look around and see people. People walking, smiling, talking, in serious conversation, and I wonder about their story. Where they’ve come from, what they believe, what has brought them to this very moment in this day? And then, I judge. I judge from facial expressions, body language, and relationship interaction all the way to outfits, hair color, and the type of shoe they’re wearing. I wonder at their story and I judge them. I attempt to put them in this tiny compartmentalized box instead of seeing what Love sees. I wonder what would happen if we all began to see each other how Love sees us? I can’t speak for you, only myself, but it is rooted in my selfishness. As Bethany Dillon says in one of her wonderful songs, “it’s such a silent, but deadly crime to think I own my life”–to think that I have the right to silently disregard PEOPLE. We want to live well, but our first efforts should be to help others live well.

People have to know Love. Humanity cannot survive without love. We are all different, yet we are all in this thing called “culture” together. Life isn’t about a ‘them’ and ‘us’, but a WE. Humanity: hurting people with broken lives and a yearning to be loved. The things we feel are universal, yet we still see each other as us, them, and competition. Quickly forgetting that one man’s silent struggle may very well be the one thing we ourselves have overcome. It becomes so simple to forget that we could very well be one step away from looking like the one we judge too quickly. Forgetting, so easily, that we too get lonely, angry, confused, and hurt. When one lashes out in an attempt to protect his already shattered heart, we are quick to reduce him to nothing. Our walls continue to thicken, our shields continue to rise. . . faster and faster. We keep others out in fear they will judge us just as we have judged them. We are a broken humanity with imperfect lives embedded with incredible stories. Stories provide comfort, hope a realization of something bigger. I believe that when we all realize that our story holds value, power, grace, & redemption—we then realize just how alike we really are. Fallen creatures loved by a risen King full of good, love, and power. When we hear each other’s stories we begin to remember where we came from—a Sovereign Love that knows no bounds. We realize that we are brilliant beyond measure and created brilliant out of nothing. We realize how free we can be to be who we are in entirety, because the walls and shields begin to dissolve. Pride and fear begin to be dissolved by a relentless love that instills hope in futures and in our present reminding us that we are a part of something bigger.

This perfect Love that answers all our doubts, fears, and questions with this: “My love is over, it’s underneath. It’s inside, it’s in-between. These times you’re healing, and when your heart breaks. The times that you feel like you’re falling from grace. The times you’re hurting. The times that you heal. The times of confusion, in chaos and pain. I’m there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame. I’m there through your heartache. I’m there in the storm. My love I will keep you, by My pow’r alone” (Tenth Avenue North). This is how all of humanity is united: LOVE free from judgment. It’s called grace.

As you think about 2010, you may have no idea what the year holds. Maybe fear, anxiety, and excitement are flowing through your veins creating a nervous adrenaline; however, be challenged with this: make selfless your vision. It’s about HIM and WE. Be challenged to love and serve until you simply don’t think you can anymore, and then continue to do so. Disregard self, help others live well, and love until hope is restored and embodied in others because hope has been restored and embodied in you.

It’s not just about you and me. Our story is a love story: between God, others, and ourselves. A profound love, conquering hate, rooted in the grace of God that knows no bounds.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:12,14

Michaela is a coffee addict, California-lover, soccer player who will

graduate in four months with an Exercise Studies degree. She has no idea

what’s next but simply wants to impact and serve for the Kingdom.

Michaela lives in Tulsa, OK and attends Victory Christian Center.

Michaela Brannan