Even for Snots

To live big (I'm tempted to say bigly) is
The Christian Way.

Because of Christ.

God has reconciled us to God's self -
Through Christ, and that's deeply personal.
That's the one-on-one part of the story.
The me-and-Jesus chapter.
But turn the page.

God has given us the ministry of reconciliation:
Unto one another, for one one another.
And that's community.
Call it the church. Or,
My neighborhood.
My town.
My kind.

And lest anyone stop there, Paul reminds us:
God reconciles us, as well, to the world.
To the nations.
To the stars.

The three elements of reconciliation; a
Fact accomplished.
Already.
Done.
Finished, in Christ, for Christ, with Christ.
Unto God.

So, we live big.

In the deep recesses of our spirit, to
Belong to God, now and forever:
Without doubt, without fear, without question.

And then to one another ... which is a bit harder.
Because of who we are.
Sinners some might say.
But maybe snots would be a more apt expression.

But we soldier on,
Trying to love one another, as we love God.
And maybe:
We're tempted to stop right there.
With God, and with those of our community.
Our own kind.
Our own snots, so to speak.

But I suspect if that's where we stop, reconciliation falters.
The whole scenario goes sour like forgotten milk.
The personal becomes narcissistic.
The community becomes exceptional and possessive.
Fearful of the world out there.
Unwilling to take the final step with Christ.
The biggest step of all.

The third step that finishes the deal.
The fulcrum on which the other two teeter and totter.
The Third Step:
Empowers reconciliation for what it is.
On all the levels ... can't have one without the other.
A trinity here.

As big as God's heart.
The whole world included.
I can't pick and choose to have
Only God.
Or only God and my clan of snots.
It has to be the whole world, too.

He's got the whole world in his hands, we sing.
And that's true.
And so must we, to complete the circle of love.

To live big.
As big as God, or not at all.
"Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect" said Jesus.

He says it, because,
It's possible:
Even for
Snots.