A
Undesirable vs Desirable. This is a topic I see little attention given to in Christiandom but it is observable in life and a very powerful feature in nature.
The life of an undesired ugly, aging, sick, poor, Christian with no true friends is very different than that of a good looking, healthy, wealthy, Christian with lots of friends who desire them.
Much of the self-help material produced is aimed at transforming people from undesirable to desirable so they can get better results in society and life.
But while the truly undesirable may increase their desirability rating somewhat by working very hard on themselves, they can only accomplish so much.
I observed the following in a small group foot washing exercise last night. This is where people pair up and wash each other's feet. It's meant to symbolize service to each other, among other things as Jesus demonstrated by washing his disciples feet before going to the cross.
An interesting comment card was completed by one non-participant before they left which read:
"I am undesirable. I am physically unattractive, poor, and alone and have been so from birth. I've worked hard my entire life to try and be the opposite but failed despite my best efforts. This would be a disgenuine exercise for me because I know you'll wash my feet but you won't be my friend. I appreciate the fact that this is better than you manipulating me to wash your feet while you exploit me maybe pretending to be my friend or not depending on much farther pretending to will get you (cost vs benefit ratio) as I have experienced repeatedly in the world. It's not your fault. I'm simply undesirable. It is what it is. No harm done. Goodbye."
Wow! How the undesirable are treated in this life both in and outside the church. You don't think they notice? They certainly do. Ugly, poor, and alone though often well educated after many years of hard work invested in attempting to transform themselves into desirable people but failing. Their life experiences are often not positive. They get "the other."
They've been dumped, used, exploited, left out, abandoned, and had fake friends stab them in the back then discard them after washing their hands of them and experienced all of this routinely over and over again.
The person who came to Christ and found they were still undesirable to people, even after their best efforts over many years, often believes that only God truly desires and loves them and their life experiences in Christiandom over many years confirmed that it's true to the extent they would write a card like that and leave without participating in the exercise.
Instead of judging them, as I'm sure they have experienced as well repeatedly in a routine manner throughout their life, rather think about that the next time you have a foot washing exercise and are paired up with someone you find "undesirable."
The life of an undesired ugly, aging, sick, poor, Christian with no true friends is very different than that of a good looking, healthy, wealthy, Christian with lots of friends who desire them.
Much of the self-help material produced is aimed at transforming people from undesirable to desirable so they can get better results in society and life.
But while the truly undesirable may increase their desirability rating somewhat by working very hard on themselves, they can only accomplish so much.
I observed the following in a small group foot washing exercise last night. This is where people pair up and wash each other's feet. It's meant to symbolize service to each other, among other things as Jesus demonstrated by washing his disciples feet before going to the cross.
An interesting comment card was completed by one non-participant before they left which read:
"I am undesirable. I am physically unattractive, poor, and alone and have been so from birth. I've worked hard my entire life to try and be the opposite but failed despite my best efforts. This would be a disgenuine exercise for me because I know you'll wash my feet but you won't be my friend. I appreciate the fact that this is better than you manipulating me to wash your feet while you exploit me maybe pretending to be my friend or not depending on much farther pretending to will get you (cost vs benefit ratio) as I have experienced repeatedly in the world. It's not your fault. I'm simply undesirable. It is what it is. No harm done. Goodbye."
Wow! How the undesirable are treated in this life both in and outside the church. You don't think they notice? They certainly do. Ugly, poor, and alone though often well educated after many years of hard work invested in attempting to transform themselves into desirable people but failing. Their life experiences are often not positive. They get "the other."
They've been dumped, used, exploited, left out, abandoned, and had fake friends stab them in the back then discard them after washing their hands of them and experienced all of this routinely over and over again.
The person who came to Christ and found they were still undesirable to people, even after their best efforts over many years, often believes that only God truly desires and loves them and their life experiences in Christiandom over many years confirmed that it's true to the extent they would write a card like that and leave without participating in the exercise.
Instead of judging them, as I'm sure they have experienced as well repeatedly in a routine manner throughout their life, rather think about that the next time you have a foot washing exercise and are paired up with someone you find "undesirable."