Love

Recently I've had a chance to be more of a friend to someone who is not a Christian. It's interesting, because it's one of the first times that I can see that I'll have an opportunity to share what I believe and why I believe it. And it was interesting to think about what I would say if I was asked why I was a Christian, or why I believe in God. The things that came to mind immediately were the kind of "churchy" answers, such as "Jesus died for me and saved me from my sins". That's easy to say, and kind of what we've been trained to say. It makes perfect sense to me - I've grown up in the church my whole life, and those kind of answers are familiar to me. But I was really struggling with the relevancy of that kind of answer to a non-Christian. I think if I was a non-Christian, that wouldn't be enought to make me believe. Sin? I mean, I'm a good person, yeah, I do things occasionally that are probably not the best, but sin? What is sin anyways? Why does it matter?

So I was pondering this for about a week. Then last week I saw the announcement for the Nobel Peace prize, and it directed me to nobelprize.org for more info on the man who won. While there, I came across Mother Theresa's speech when she won the Nobel Peace prize in 1979. It was an incredible speech. She's always fascinated and amazed me, but reading this speech was just amazing. There's no other word for it. If you get a chance, you should read it . Basically Mother Theresa states that love is the most important thing in the world, the most important gift you can give. She says that the disease of the poor and forgotten is the same disease that can affect the rich as well - feeling unwanted and unloved. Here's a story she told:

"The other day I received 15 dollars from a man who has been on his back for twenty years, and the only part that he can move is his right hand. And the only companion that he enjoys is smoking. And he said to me: I do not smoke for one week, and I send you this money. It must have been a terrible sacrifice for him, but see how beautiful, how he shared, and with that money I bought bread and I gave to those who are hungry with a joy on both sides, he was giving and the poor were receiving. This is something that you and I - it is a gift of God to us to be able to share our love with others. And let it be as it was for Jesus. Let us love one another as he loved us. Let us love Him with undivided love. And the joy of loving Him and each other - let us give now - that Christmas is coming so close. Let us keep that joy of loving Jesus in our hearts. And share that joy with all that we come in touch with. And that radiating joy is real, for we have no reason not to be happy because we have no Christ with us. Christ in our hearts, Christ in the poor that we meet, Christ in the smile that we give and the smile that we receive. Let us make that one point: That no child will be unwanted, and also that we meet each other always with a smile, especially when it is difficult to smile."

And it struck me, that's it. That's why I am a Christian. Christ has loved me. This person I am reaching out to has said "what's the secret to eternal happiness?" "I tried work, and that's not it." After reading Mother Theresa's speech, it was just so amazing to realize that I could explain in terms anyone could understand, and anyone could relate to. Christ's love is this - he says "this life is hard, but I love you enough to say - this world is not it." I died for you to say, even though you will struggle now, I love you enough to give you a place after this life. I love you enough to want you to be with me for all eternity. You don't have to be the best, the brightest, the prettiest. In fact, you can be the ugliest, the stupidest, the lowliest person on earth, and I have a place for you with me in heaven, if you believe. I love you enough to give you a hope and a future."

That is truly love, and that is truly amazing.