Why She Talks Sports: Loving The Unlovables

Hey Friend,

In the US, for sports aficionados, fall is the "Happy Time"...the delightful convergence of many professional and college sports.  Since I was young, I could tell you the difference between a breaking ball and a fast ball slider.  I have a scrapbook I made on the life of Roberto Clemente, complete with scorecards from his games, newspaper articles and baseball cards.

I grew up with the "Steel Curtain" in Pittsburgh and could appreciate the grittiness of Jack Lambert as well as the fluid artistry of Lynn Swann's receptions.  Did I mention donning full goalie gear so my son could dream of being Mario LeMieux?

I confess that I didn't immediately love sports, but my dad did.  I am a people pleaser and I quickly learned that it pleased my dad that I took an interest in what he was interested in.  I was all about my father's business, and in being so I grew to love what he loved.

It is very much the same with my Heavenly Father.  If I love Him (which I do), I want to be interested in what He is interested in...I need to be about my Father's business.

"Be imitators of God...and live a life of love..."  (Ephesians 5:1)

It is easy to love others when they are lovable or when we know and like them.  But what about the nameless faces we see on the street or in the park?  What about the homeless man holding a tattered sign?  Do we love him?  Take it one step further...what about those we don't like, the ones who have hurt us, the unlovables?  What does God say about them?  Let me share some insights borrowed, in part, from my pastor.

In Genesis 1:26, God said, "Let us (Trinity) make man in our image, in our likeness..."  God used His very own image to fashion us.  He created ALL men and women in His likeness.  He didn't withhold His image from some; so, when we look into the eyes, the face of another individual, we are looking into the very face of God.  We are created to love those people because they bear the image of God.

Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, we learn that "We are given the seal of God written on our foreheads by the Holy Spirit."  God put His holy signature on each of our foreheads.  He loves us (each of us) so much that He gives us the seal of ownership.

So, when I find it hard to love others at times...I will look for God's image and for His signature.  I will attempt to imitate God.  I will let all that I do be done in love.  I will be about my Father's business.

Play ball!

In His love,

Bev

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