Sticks and Stones...

Today at lunch we talked about how people physically alter themselves to
look a different way. Not so much in plastic surgery for a better physique or
coloring their hair- but body modification. Skin implants, scarification,
piercing, etc.  We talked about how we’ve each seen different people with
maybe horns implanted in their skulls, silicone hearts on their chests, or
tribal art cut into their skin. It all seems so extreme, and to many it’s
grotesque. Although those things don’t particularly ‘gross’ me out, it does
put a certain impression on me. I have tattoos, and piercing, but I judge
just like the next person. I automatically associate those sorts of body
modifications with occults, anarchists, or 'extremists' of one sort or
another. I had to stop for a minute when I got back to my desk and search
my heart about why I judge to quickly. I think its human nature to
associate. Especially when we dont understand things. However, would
someones appearance stop me from freely loving them like I should? Would I
not smile at a passer by because they had something about them that I didnt 
relate to?

Most of you probably dont have this problem- but I automatically associate
'jocks' or the 'athletic' type as being cocky jerks. I've found it hard to
even openly be friendly to a boy/girl that fits that description because my
automatic thought process is 'I'll hurt them before they can hurt me'.
Every part of my being stands on edge when I see a jock, or for that matter
a cheerleader or "popular" girl. It might not fall into the line of being
physically different then other people, but their style of dress, hair,
postures or even initial impressions cause me to judge without thinking.

I say all of that simply to admit that I find myself judging others far
more then I should. Whether its because they have modified their bodies in
some 'unconventional' way, or because they fit a certain stereotype. Jesus
loved and accepted the least in society. You know what he fought against
though? Those that would cast the first stone. When I judge others
automatically, am I not in one sense or another casting the first stone?

I never want to become a 'pharisee' of my generation. I want my arms to
be wide open to love and welcome- even the 'strange' or...'jocks' *ahem*.  I
dont have to accept every notion, whim or thought thats thrown my way
from society, but my calling as a child of God is to pour out Christs love. I
might still feel extreme body modification is a little overboard, and I might
still bristle at the arrogant attitudes of some 'jocks', but I pray that God
would open my heart to love them just like Jesus does.

This song came to my mind as I worked all this out in my head;

Mistaken
By Warren Barfield

I shouldn't have to tell you who I am
Cause who I am should be speaking for itself
Cause if I am who I, I want to be
Then who you see won't even be me
Oh the more and more I disappear
The more and more He becomes clear

CHORUS:
Til everyone I talk to hears His voice
And everything I touch feels the warmth of His hand
Til everyone I meet
Sees Jesus in me
This is all I wanna be
I wanna be mistaken
For Jesus
Oh I wanna be mistaken

Do they only see who we are
When who we are should be pointing them to Christ
Cause we are who He chose to use
To spread the news
Of the way the truth and the life
Oh I want all I am to die
So all He is can come alive

Til everyone I talk to heart His voice
And everything I touch feels the warmth of His hand
Til everyone I meet
Sees Jesus in me
This is all I wanna be
I wanna be mistaken
For Jesus
Oh I wanna be
Oh I need to be mistaken
For You
Lord i wanna be mistaken
Mistaken

BRIDGE:
May He touch with my hands
See through my eyes
May He speak through my lips
Live through my life
I want Him to
I want Him to live