At a recent Tae Kwon Do testing, one of my adult students broke several bones his foot. I followed up several weeks later with his Kyle, his Senior Instructor to see how he was doing. The good news is that he was progressing. The better news that I discovered was that he was helping with the website to get a number of things straightened out that we desperately needed help with. After interacting with him via email, I set up a breakfast meeting with him to get to know him better. Boy was I in for a surprise.

Brad was not just the father of two children but had adopted 4 more – a whole family of abused  and neglected children. As I sat there in amazement, he further astonished me with the fact that he and his wife had also fostered over 20 children through their almost 20 years of marriage. Even though we have a big family, it is very different – and shall we say, more “main stream” if a family our size could be considered such. I marveled at what God had done in his heart and how he had worked in that marriage to foster that kind of love and sacrifice for someone else’s children. It’s one thing to love your one “blood” but to take on those you know will have a lifetime of mental challenges from their earlier days is something else.

Brad and his wife, I am sure have a read deep dose of the Holy Spirit. I do not see how that kind of love could exist outside of God’s heart dominating our own. We subject ourselves to abuse by the decisions we make with our sinful nature. God, like Brad has to rescue us and provide us with direction, His perception of value and an understanding of our role in the Kingdom. Only then can we gain the emotional stability to love in a similar manner. But, what a lesson of God at work in many lives through those willing to hear His voice and follow His direction by loving those who many would deem as unlovable. I don’t think any of you could question my love for you, but I have not displayed the type of love Brad and his wife have. I feel that is the next level of love.

Now, why do I bring this family to your attention today? Because it is easy to say that we walk with God, we love His ways and try to live a life committed to faith in Christ. Then we meet people like Brad who have gone a step further (insert scripture of doing good to those you love/family) that those illustrated in Matthew 7:9 – 11. They have allowed God to stretch them to a level of being uncomfortable because it is for the greater good. I realize not everyone is called to do what they do, but I also realize that none of us like to be unfordable, unsettled or feel like we are out of control of our lives. Yet is it not that mentality that keeps us from becoming all He has designed us to become?

There is always more we can achieve in our love affair with God. More His Spirit can do within us if we are open to that calling. There just has to be a level of unselfishness that keeps us from ignoring other’s hopes, dreams and needs. The thing that believers in our society suffer most from is a comfort level like the Church of Laodicea which is scary because Christ wanted to spit them out due to their lack of commitment. He wished that they were either cold or hot, but not lukewarm and comfortable. I think that is more dangerous than just about anything, yet it is the goal of most people (including me) in our society.

This concept reminds me of John Kennedy’s famous statement during his inauguration. I will plagiarize it and use it in the context of today’s message. “Ask not what God and others can do for you, but ask what you can do for others and God’s Kingdom.” Nuff said.

Love Dad