The revolution is underway. While the 70’s promoted ‘free love’ as a way of highlighting the sexual revolution, I’m starting a different FREE LOVE revolution. I’m recommending that the RESCUE MISSION and other social services and christian ministries promote FREE LOVE as a way to highlight that we are going to actually live out the teachings of Jesus and LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.
So why the dramatic announcement of promoting FREE LOVE? Because it’s so shamefully rare for people (regardless of faith) to actually love the poor, addicted, homeless and mentally ill unconditionally. It flies in the face of our sensibilities and challenges our ethic that the homeless should just “get a job” and “pull themselves up by the bootstraps”.
Here’s what I mean by FREE LOVE
1. Believe EVERYbody has value. Do you believe this? What if this person doesn’t contribute to society? What if this person is a “taker”, always using people and things without regard for others? Does this person have value? I believe so.
2. Don’t GIVE UP on people. Most people don’t blink on writing off those who’ve wronged them or short changed them in someway. While I understand a wise and discerning approach with people who aren’t safe, as a society we need to be open to seeing RESTORATION in those who are ready to turn their lives around and to live in a different way.
3 So often we find it easier to love those who look like us or that we can associate with in some way. But sometimes God calls us to love those who are not like us. Those who aren’t clean, aren’t beautiful and who might even smell bad. Love anyway.
Clearly, I’m being slight provocative to awaken you to the fact that we often put a price on our love. Don’t do it, God has loved us freely and without condition and we need to do likewise. Loving freely doesn’t mean you lack healthy boundaries, it means you stop judging the worth of others by what they can do for you and for society.
What do you think? Do you think most Christians, Churches, republicans, democrats, etc. would agree to this kind of FREE LOVE? Do you think you could live to this standard? Give me your feedback.
DC
Everybody does–in fact–have value. For Christians, perhaps we need to be reminded that Jesus died for even the “least” of those among us. Too often, though, we instead make assumptions about the homeless.
Your new policy is perfect…
David, you raise up some really hard and important thoughts on Love and, implemented the way you envision it should be spelled Love with a capital L.
I know that I want to Love in this fashion and that I try – I also know I fall short every. single. day. – but I keep getting back on that horse and riding a little bit farther everysingleday
Thanks for raising up/out this issue in such a way!
Thanks Deb. Blessings to you today.
I thank God for His love, because I was 23 when I asked Jesus to be Lord of my life. I did not know LOVE until that day that God shared His unconditional love with me and touched my heart. We have a place in us that only God can fill with His love. As humans we search for love and will never be satisfied until we experience God’s love. This is a standard that we need to live our lives by is daily striving to unconditionally love those around us and that we impact daily
To be brutaly honest, free love is very hard for people of flesh. It is easy to treat people with respect, kindness, love and caring when they are treating you that way. To do it when you are being treated poorly takes work and effort, but it is what Christ calls us to do.
David, another good blog subject. 1 Corinthians 13 explains how we should love. And if that’s not enough, try Romans 12:9-21, (which, by the way is my personal favorite). We are called to love as we have been loved. My Father sent His only Son to express His love for me. For me to anything less is unacceptable. My Father never gave up on this poor, unkempt youngster so I will NEVER give up anyone, ever. You are right, there is a greater purpose in all mankind, homeless or not. We must continue in OUR efforts to be creative in finding ways to tap into them, so we can help them become all God wants to be. God B w/U David.
Difficult challenge for me. I have been schooled in the “tough love” movement that says let the person described in 1 participate in their own “help” by first achnowledging they are currently on the wrong path.
Whether I am being loving or not is a matter of the heart. I can give unconditionally or withhold help and in either case not be loving. I can do the cheap and expedient thing (give) and not be loving.
I am called to “work out my own salvation with fear and trembling”. “The answer” does not exist. I have to constantly be challenging both my actions and my motives. I can fool myself when I think I know.
Thank you for challenging me this morning.