Relationship can change everything.
I'm currently sitting in a local coffee shop listening to one of the most awkward performances that I've ever sat through. The lead singer, bless his heart, is incredibly uncomfortable in his own skin, a mediocre guitarist and shouldn't be allowed to talk in between songs. The mics are much too loud, the back up singer has no concept of how loud her voice is and continually, I'm sure of it, trying to blow my ear drums out (and I love LOUD music).
No, this isn't a post to rag on how poor the entertainment is tonight. While I could care less about the music tonight there are, however, about 30 people in here who cannot get enough of them! They yell with no embarrassment in between each song, cheering this little group on, encouraging them to sing more. What's the difference between their experience and mine, you may ask? Relationship. They most certainly have relationship with this awkward and loud duo. While my experience isn't super positive, theirs is nothing short of incredible. (I mean, they are SUPER excited)
In the same way, this past week I've had a few experiences in which I've encountered people who everyone loves...from a distance. In the past I've been so impressed with them and the way their lives seemed. But this week the encounters that I've had have left me wanting at their character. Sadly, my perspective has drastically shifted because of this one thing...relationship. Suddenly my relationship has been closer and I've seen more of who they really are.
It's amazing how things can change when we get into close proximity to others, either for better or for worse. This past season has been a beautiful one, but also a hard one. The Lord has really been teaching me how to draw closer to Him, especially when that includes my pain. And do you know what I've found? That even though I've been in pain, as I've drawn closer to Him in our relationship I've realized even more just how sweet the Lord truly is. He has not left me wanting. He has not disappointed me at all, not even for a moment.
You can admire Jesus from afar, being inspired and enjoying His (actually) beautiful music. But as you draw near to Jesus the fact is that you will become more and more impressed with Him. You will see the beauty of His character, the kindness in His eyes and the generosity of His nature.
My prayer that is as Christians, we can become more and more like Him. While I know I fall short so many times, my hope is that I'm the same in every moment. If people see me from on a stage or at a distance I hope they would experience me in a way that would be positive. But my hope even more would be that I would be even sweeter when you have to live with me and see me day in and day out, even in the toughest of situations or the greatest victory moments. Does my relationship with people bring them life, or cause them to cringe at how loud my mic is?
While I know the analogy isn't really all that great I couldn't help but be struck tonight as I tried hard not plug my ears at times. Relationship can change everything and it's a valuable tool for every believer. While we shouldn't care, and be focused on what people think, I do want to be just as sweet on stage as I am in the moments that feel hard. I want to be real. And more than anything, as people take the time to draw nearer to me, I want to be like Jesus. I want to be a sweet, refreshing song where people can know they are always safe.
L
