People Aren’t Projects

"So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith."
Galatians 6:8-9

In his book “Saturate”, Jeff Vanderstelt tells the story of he and his wife Jayne struggling to love their standoffish, passive aggressive neighbor. After what seemed like countless incidents involving intentionally placed trash cans and confined parking spaces, Jayne said, "That's it! I wash my hands of that woman! I try to be kind and courteous to her but she makes it impossible!"...

It's not easy being kind to someone who intentionally ignores you or returns your kind gestures with rude behavior. Even when Jayne "gave up" on loving her neighbor, God didn't. He loved Nicki more than Jayne and Jeff ever could. The problem at that moment was that they viewed Nicki as a project; something to be worked on instead of someone to love. This story reminded me that it's not our job to change people. That's God's job. He simply sends us to love people so they can come to know the Fathers love through us. God has perfectly and generously loved you and me so that we can generously share his love with others in word and deed.

A short time after Jayne had "given up" on Nicki, there was a knock on their front door. It was Nicki. "I'm so sorry to bother you" she said, "but I didn't know where else to go. You've always been so friendly and I need some help". What followed was several hours of genuine heartfelt conversation between the two and the beginning of a relationship that would prove to have an eternal impact. God doesn't give up on loving people. Neither should we!