"Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves."  Rom 12:10

People Loving Wichita For some reason of late I've been hammered over and over with the thought that I am not really showing the true love of Christ by loving others beyond myself and inspite of myself.  It's no problem to love those who so easily love us back.  Who are like us or at least have some similar likes.  It's "easy" to just hang out with them when there is no effort put forth on our part to go beyond the cordial "what's up dude?".  To allow ourselves to be changed by God, experience and others.  To put ourselves aside in order to help and love others.  To listen to someone's story that is far beyond where our cushy lives have taken us thus far.  

People Loving Wichita So, God says to me, "what are you doing Robert Wyatt Dixon, to love and care for others?"  What are you doing to make a difference?  Not to become well known, win the Nobel Peace Prize or receive some sort of fame and fortune.  To love people where and as they are (weird, but isn't that what Jesus did?)!  I can't begin to describe the excitement and terror that grip me, both at the same time over trying to answer this question to God and at the thought of where He is going to lead me as I attempt honor Him with my life and abilities.

People Loving Wichita And why in the world am I rambling on about "loving others", blah, blah, blah (am I starting to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher yet?)?  One, because I am forewarning you that I will be discussing this in further blogs.  haha  How God is continuing to change me.  Why?  So it can help someone else.  Two, because I will be challenging you to consider your heart and life.  I don't know where you are.  Only you and God know that.  And I'm not here to judge you anymore than the folks that show up Sunday after Sunday for free food.  But, I have to ask, have you allowed God to change you?  To mold you?  Are you opening your heart to where He wants you to be?  How has God called you to love others (not an IF: the verse above doesn't say "some of you be devoted to one another in love")?  

I don't remember where I heard this.  Probably in one of the youth ministries that I volunteered in over the years. It's simple, but so very impactful.  "I Am Third."  That is... Love God first, others second and myself third.  God has only two requirements of us... 1.  Love Him with everything we are and 2.  Love each more than we love ourselves (Luke 10:27).  

I AM THIRD