Body of Evidence
“… Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. …” 1 Cor. 13
I woke about 3:30 a.m.
I turned on the TV, flipped through some channels. I stopped on court TV. They had show on called, “House of Evidence,” or something like that. It had a unique concept. The occupant of the home left, and two contestants came into the home to see what they could find out about that person from their belongings and surroundings. The show is based on detective work that police do at crime scenes and during other investigations.
From simply being in her surroundings, these people guessed a lot about her life, personality, likes and dislikes.(All pictures and overtly personal belongings were removed.) Still, they were able to deduce what she looked like, how much money she made and the line of work she was in.
It was fascinating – and frightening.
I lay here thinking, what can people tell about me from my surroundings. What can they find out about me after spending only a few minutes in my presence?
In this case, both contestants readily figured out that the owner was a black female with a high income. This was obvious from the hair left in the sink, the straightening comb and the black art work around the house. They knew she was well-to-do because of the expensive furnishings.
From books lying around, they discovered that someone in the family had a problem with alcoholism. And, from the set up of the house alone, one contestant was able to determine that the owner of the home had come home that day, slid off her boots, sat on the couch and had a drink.
From tiny, baby booties in a drawer, the other contestant deduced that the owner had one child.
From the color of the shoes, he guessed it was a boy.
All sorts of clues to this woman’s character lay about her home. Again, it was fascinating.
However, there were some misleading things too. From the art throughout the house, one player thought the owner was a black lesbian. In her home, the owner had several nude sketchings of women. And, there was a black and white picture of a nude woman laying in bed. It had nothing to do with lesbianism. But, this one contestant was convinced of it.
That led me again to wonder – what quirks, habits or traits might I have that could lead others to believe I’m anything other than a virtuous woman in Christ?
Have I left any stains, residue or messes in the lives of others that might lead them to think I’m really not a child of God? Is there any act, deed or word that opposes the word of God?
Of course there is.
I can readily identify things in myself that have hurt people, and turned them away from Christ. I can be calous, outspoken, unyielding, judgmental, critical and a lot of other things. Even if 75 percent of my being says she loves the Lord, she’s studying her Bible and is a woman of faith – that other 25 percent glares and blinds those outside the faith or those weak in the faith. It can even be hurtful and offensive to those strong in the faith.
God told us to love one another. He said we will be known by our love. In case you’re unsure how to love, God broke it down for us in 1 Cor. 13. It says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Now, I challenge each of you to insert your name in place of the word love. So, I would say, Le Datta is patient, Le Datta is kind. … Anywhere I insert my name and it becomes false, I’ve got some growing to do. In other words, I’m not patient. I can’t stand to wait. So, I need to grow in patience toward others and circumstances.
How about you?
Put your name into the equation. What areas do you need work in?
I got this exercise from a Max Lucado’s book, “A Love worth giving.” It’s incredible. I challenge each of you to pick it up and explore the concepts of love as Christ would have us to love one another.
Perhaps it will lead us to a place where our walk with Christ doesn’t mislead, anger or hurt others. Perhaps, we will leave our co-workers, friends and family with true images of Christ after they’ve been in our presence.
I love you each, L.
I woke about 3:30 a.m.
I turned on the TV, flipped through some channels. I stopped on court TV. They had show on called, “House of Evidence,” or something like that. It had a unique concept. The occupant of the home left, and two contestants came into the home to see what they could find out about that person from their belongings and surroundings. The show is based on detective work that police do at crime scenes and during other investigations.
From simply being in her surroundings, these people guessed a lot about her life, personality, likes and dislikes.(All pictures and overtly personal belongings were removed.) Still, they were able to deduce what she looked like, how much money she made and the line of work she was in.
It was fascinating – and frightening.
I lay here thinking, what can people tell about me from my surroundings. What can they find out about me after spending only a few minutes in my presence?
In this case, both contestants readily figured out that the owner was a black female with a high income. This was obvious from the hair left in the sink, the straightening comb and the black art work around the house. They knew she was well-to-do because of the expensive furnishings.
From books lying around, they discovered that someone in the family had a problem with alcoholism. And, from the set up of the house alone, one contestant was able to determine that the owner of the home had come home that day, slid off her boots, sat on the couch and had a drink.
From tiny, baby booties in a drawer, the other contestant deduced that the owner had one child.
From the color of the shoes, he guessed it was a boy.
All sorts of clues to this woman’s character lay about her home. Again, it was fascinating.
However, there were some misleading things too. From the art throughout the house, one player thought the owner was a black lesbian. In her home, the owner had several nude sketchings of women. And, there was a black and white picture of a nude woman laying in bed. It had nothing to do with lesbianism. But, this one contestant was convinced of it.
That led me again to wonder – what quirks, habits or traits might I have that could lead others to believe I’m anything other than a virtuous woman in Christ?
Have I left any stains, residue or messes in the lives of others that might lead them to think I’m really not a child of God? Is there any act, deed or word that opposes the word of God?
Of course there is.
I can readily identify things in myself that have hurt people, and turned them away from Christ. I can be calous, outspoken, unyielding, judgmental, critical and a lot of other things. Even if 75 percent of my being says she loves the Lord, she’s studying her Bible and is a woman of faith – that other 25 percent glares and blinds those outside the faith or those weak in the faith. It can even be hurtful and offensive to those strong in the faith.
God told us to love one another. He said we will be known by our love. In case you’re unsure how to love, God broke it down for us in 1 Cor. 13. It says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Now, I challenge each of you to insert your name in place of the word love. So, I would say, Le Datta is patient, Le Datta is kind. … Anywhere I insert my name and it becomes false, I’ve got some growing to do. In other words, I’m not patient. I can’t stand to wait. So, I need to grow in patience toward others and circumstances.
How about you?
Put your name into the equation. What areas do you need work in?
I got this exercise from a Max Lucado’s book, “A Love worth giving.” It’s incredible. I challenge each of you to pick it up and explore the concepts of love as Christ would have us to love one another.
Perhaps it will lead us to a place where our walk with Christ doesn’t mislead, anger or hurt others. Perhaps, we will leave our co-workers, friends and family with true images of Christ after they’ve been in our presence.
I love you each, L.
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