value the valuable::

I was challenged earlier today by something. I heard a convincing argument about people and their “default setting”. What I’m talking about is the fact that if we see something awesome or inspiring we have the need to express that and share it with others. So what’s the point? Why am I taking the time to write about this? Simply put, we need to be reminded of what we share and what we value. As humans, we need each other. If you watch a spectacular game or see a beautiful girl, what is one of the first things you want to do? You want to go to your buddy and talk about what you saw and what you liked about what you saw. There’s an emotional connection made. If you didn’t have anyone to share what you are excited about, you almost feel empty. So let’s get more specific, what is it that we are excited about? And I’m not trying to say you couldn’t get excited about everything. I’m just trying to think about our priorities. In my life, I love the Blazers. I grew up a fan. I have season tickets. I get up about anything the Blazers. If they win I tell everyone at work. If they loose or get injured, I get upset and have to share how I feel they are going to do or what they should do differently. I also get up about music. If I hear a solid band or a sick bass line, I immediately call up a buddy or several and have them download it. It’s how we roll as people. Also why do we have blogs in the first place? We have blogs because we want to share what we are thinking through or passionate about. Let’s take this a step further….I want to challenge myself and anyone who wants to take this challenge with me. I want to value human life and this “playground” we call earth more than a just a side observation. I want to place more value in the things God values. Why? Because I love him. What? Seriously? Did I just say that? Yes! I love my Father. Ok, so without sounding churchy, I mean this. My priorities should be expressed vocally. And after observing what I talk about with friends, I realize I don’t always place value in the things I should. So here’s the challenge….ready? I am at a point where I understand I can’t change what I’m doing for the sake of doing something. But I am realigning myself by allowing Christ to change me. My challenge is to listen to what I talk about and confess it to God if it isn’t honoring him. I simply want to value and place worth where worth should be given. On a side note, I want to share a small experience that happened yesterday. I’m driving to eat lunch with my friends Nick and Jared. I was pulling off the freeway at Mall 205. As I know most people have seen and driven past, there are the “homeless” people on the corner. I’m broken for these people and it’s taken me literally years to humble myself to acknowledge them as humans who equally have needs just the same as I do. So here it is. I’m at the light. I see this guy. He’s looking pretty sad. He’s probably early 30’s. I didn’t feel like money was the answer but I did have something I consider a luxury. I had breath mints. Yup, I said it….mints, it’s small, goes in your month, tastes amazing. I rolled down the window and I offered a new pack of mints to him. He looked confused but was happy to accept the offer. As I pulled away, I won’t forget for a while the smile he had on his face. It was a smile of worth and dignity. It finally hit me. Everyone, no matter what their circumstances, wants to have their dignity. I’m not trying to pat myself on the back for such a small gesture but to simply express the value of that situation. I was happy to be apart of that. I pulled away from that light and had to share that with God and thank him for using me to at least for a second bring a smile to this guys face. His countenance changed that moment. I also had to share it with you because I would love to hear stories about helping people. I want to give worth the the creation God has made because ultimately we will be before him and He’s going to ask what we did with what he was given to us. Are we stewards of this earth? The church has the awesome honor of making an impact in the world. Let’s be the church…and not just sit in our comfy building and drink our coffee. Let’s bring about change and value to what should be valued.