Unshackled Moments ~ September 9 ~ A Mile In Their Shoes

All too often it's easy to isolate ourselves form anyone that we don't feel comfortable around or understand. If we can't relate or they don't fit in to whatever category we feel we fit into, avoid at best or belittle, criticize and ostracize at work. But we are not called to belittle and make outcasts of those who don't fit in. I'm not talking about being popular. I was not a "popular" guy in school. I was one of the outcasts and freaks, and believe me, the freaks can be just as snobby and prejudiced against the popular "normal" kids as the other way around. Each of us has our comfort zone. If someone doesn't fit into that zone or doesn't comply with the standards of that group, they don't belong. But Jesus called us to be like Him and do as He did.

So what is it exactly that God did? Well, God has His comfort zone called righteousness and holiness. Nobody seemed to be able to qualify. No one fit the standard. So God literally came down and walked 33 years worth of miles in our shoes. He made Himself available to the outcasts. He touched lepers, ate with drunks and prostitutes, and for those of us with reverse prejudice issues He also hung out with tons of pharisees. He never once condoned anyone's behavior that didn't line up with what's right, and yet He managed to love all of them, all of us. He loves us as we are, not as we should be. So no matter why someone doesn't deserve to be able to hang out with you, Jesus would welcome that person. And no matter what reason you may feel you don't belong, Jesus welcomes you. He knows how you feel, because He purposefully empathized with you and with me as He faced every struggle and temptation that we face. He didn't say you're not worthy get away. He said let me make you worthy come to Me.

Let us make more of an effort to practice empathy and love. It's easy to walk around and say what would Jesus do, but's let's remember what He really did do. He loved the unacceptable. He welcomed the outcast. He put Himself in our shoes and died in our place. Not once is there an example of anyone coming to Him, not a pharisee or a "sinner" who Jesus refused to associate with. How can we say we follow Him and do any differently.