Love for Those Who Are Different
Scripture Reading — Luke 14:15-24
“Bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.”
—Luke 14:21
Steve thinks the fluoride in the water is the government’s plan to make us zombies, and that the trails of exhaust from airplanes contain chemicals that make us mental slaves to the will of an elite group of powerful people who run the world.
Steve spends a lot of time surfing the Internet. He’s always in financial trouble because he does crazy things with his money. Steve doesn’t have any friends, partly because he keeps suspecting them of conspiring against him and partly because he exhausts the patience of everyone who tries to love him. He also gets bullied a lot, because, frankly, he is weird. Not dangerous, just weird. Steve is a human being, but one who has been dealt a tough hand in life.
We see people like Steve all the time—at the store, at the gas station, driving a car. Some are mentally ill, and some are just plain different.
Jesus has people like Steve in mind for his special banquet.
So, stop in to visit people like Steve once in a while. Tell a joke. Be a friend. Give a little human kindness. Just give a little love. Because if you make up your mind to help Steve experience a little happiness, then God is happy, and you will be happier too.
Lord, bless the Steves of this world. Forgive me for thinking I’m normal and he’s not. Father, I need more love in my heart. Make me better at loving people. Amen.
About the author — Keith Mannes
Keith Mannes serves as pastor at Highland Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Michigan. Keith and his wife, Alicia, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary,
and they are thankful for their three children—Eben, Charis, and Breanna.
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