bound and gagged | And 2 Makes Crazy

I don’t love Jesus. Can we still be friends?

Dude! Do you even know me at all?

Wait…technically, since this is a cyber world, it is possible that you don’t know me.

So let me introduce myself and answer that question for you.

My name’s Brooke, and I’m like a big polar bear. But cuddly. Not attack you type bear. And actually not that big. Unless a preggo belly counts?!

Anyhow, back to your super question, “I don’t love Jesus, so can we still be friends?”

And my answer is simple…Yes.

And this is why. WWJD, man? WWJD?

But hey, since you’re here, at least let me introduce you to Jesus that you don’t love.

Jesus was a man’s man…All tough and cool. They depict him all wrinkle-free and pretty in pics, but let us not forget that he was a carpenter for 30 years. Well, probably not 30. But when he left his daddy’s workshop and went to work for his Father, he was 30.

Therefore, it’s safe to assume he was at least a bit weathered and worn. And strong.

Richard’s grandpa was a carpenter. And his hands showed the art of his work. They were gnarly and tough. And as strong as nails. Yep. There’s no mistaking the strength of a carpenter.

Much like Jesus.

But, you see, Jesus had this presence to him (let’s call it what it is—God) that drew people to him.

The interesting thing you should know, however, is that Jesus never forced a conversation, never threw a stone, and never backed away from being seen with people that others might deem “questionable”. You know. People like prostitutes and thieves.

Guess what else. Jesus never demanded you listen.

He spoke words of wisdom and truth. He shared food. He performed miracles. He loved. He healed. And he taught. But the crowds always came to him.

One time he even went all Indiana Jones (except 2000 years ago) on the people in the Temple that were swindling the innocent by collecting money and “selling” religious sacrifices. Turning tables and whipping a few.

And, oh yes! Jesus could hold his own when it came to a verbal smack down. But guess whom his debate adversaries were—those that found themselves most religiously righteous. Yep.

Jesus didn’t come to seek and save the righteous. After all, they don’t even think they need saving.

He came for the doctor. And the lawyer. He came for the tax collector and the fisherman and soldier. He came for the healthy. He came for the sick. He came for the prostitute. He came for the criminal on the cross.

And never once did he bind and gag someone, demanding they listen.

Nope.

Again. He walked. He talked. He taught. He loved. He shared. He healed. He lived.

And, through it all, God was glorified.

I think Jesus is plain and simple AWESOME! He’s my savior. And I’m thankful for him.

But one of the greatest lessons I learned from Jesus was this: he didn’t force anyone to love him. He invited them to. If they did. Great. If they didn’t, he didn’t chase them.

And that, my friends, is how I live my life.

I do, however, invite you to find out about this awesome Jesus—start in the New Testament.

But, if you don’t, I’m not going to tie you to a chair and force read the Bible to you.

That is definitely not “WWJD”.

Jesus is enough to stand on his own two feet. He doesn’t need me to take karate chop action on people to introduce them to who he is.

In the end, you may not love Jesus, but he loves you. Nothing you can do about that. And, if you ever decide to have a conversation with him, I’m telling you now, he has time for you.

So do I.

In the meantime, big polar bear hugs and 3 Polish kisses thrown in for good measure. Because hugging and kissing are always good things! Like Jesus.