20/20 God’s Vision: Love God. Love People.

By Kevin Grove

“Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

I lived in Japan for most of my childhood, but right before my freshman year in high school, my family returned to the United States. We moved all the way from the outskirts of Tokyo to the small town of Utopia—a beautiful community of about 350 people in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Talk about a contrast of cultures—east to west, big city Asia to small town USA, mass transit to pickup trucks, sushi to chicken fried steak, group interdependence to rugged individualism, sumo wrestling to football…you get the picture.

On my first day of school, the fact that I had stepped into a completely different culture became even more apparent. Everywhere I turned, I saw kids in Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots. I can still picture one kindergarten kid—a miniature cowboy—who was regularly reprimanded by the bus driver to spit out his chewing tobacco before boarding the school bus.

Since my memorable high school days, I’ve had the opportunity to experience the fascinating cultures of people in more than 35 nations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Everywhere I go, there is such diversity and beauty…an intricate mosaic of God’s creation. Yet in every corner of our world, from Tokyo to Utopia, I also see the stain and pain of sin—hopelessness, loneliness, abandonment, abuse, fear, envy, greed, hate, strife, religious bigotry, sickness, and poverty. No place or person is immune.

While on a flight back from the African country of Burkina Faso, I began pondering this question: “What if I had been born in Tokyo, Tehran, Darfur, or Ouagadougou. For that matter, what if I had been born under different circumstances right here in America? What would Christ look like to me? What would Christianity look like to me?”

In many cultures, people have a high regard for the historical Jesus and His teachings, but a low regard for Christianity and Christians. What a shame! People everywhere need a representative of Jesus; a living, breathing example of the unconditional, transformational love of Jesus Christ.

When we begin a relationship with God, it changes everything. It transforms our relationships with others—how we see, value, and serve them—because loving God and loving others are inseparable. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). And in Matthew 25, Jesus makes it clear that in serving others we are serving Him. James instructs us that true faith isn’t simply a faith of knowledge; it’s a living, active faith—a faith that produces good works. Serving others is an essential aspect of true faith.

I like to take complex ideas and boil them down to their simplest forms. So here’s the essence of what God expects from us: Love God. Love people. And go make disciples of others who will do likewise. It’s that simple. It’s allabout relationship—relationship with God and relationship with others.

Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). I’m convinced many Christians never experience abundant life because the majority of their endeavors in this life are self-serving. Do you want to experience the passion and pleasure of God? Serve Him by serving others. Make room in your life to serve the poor, the needy, the hurting, or the marginalized.

Make room in your life to encourage others and help them find purpose and fulfill God’s calling. Take the time to help others learn, grow, and succeed. Take the time to pray for people and share your faith. Weep with those who weep. Rejoice with those who rejoice. You and I were created to serve!

I love the story about the Good Samaritan. In this story, the most unlikely character—the Samaritan—demonstrated God’s heart for a man who was robbed, beaten, and left for dead. He simply saw a need and served the man with all he had.

From Tokyo to Utopia, people may be different, yet our needs are very similar. People need to feel valued and loved within the context of genuine relationships. They don’t need Christian service or witnessing that comes with an agenda. We don’t serve to convert; we serve because we are converted, and thus we love and value what God loves and values—people.

Make room in your life to serve others. Ask the Lord to open your eyes and heart to the world around you and help you to love unconditionally, serve selflessly, and give generously.

Draw back your bow, let love go. Shoot straight for the heart. With all of your might, set your sight; take aim from the start. To love God, love people…that’s the center of the mark.
~ Mark Harris