People Are Weird...

Mar 8, 2024 | by Joel Jacobs

People Are Weird

Weird (adj)- of strange or extraordinary character. Synonyms- bizarre, crazy, erratic, off-the-wall, quirky. Maybe as you were reading that first sentence you already have one or more people in your mind that fit that description. You might be nodding your head in agreement; “mmmhmm…oh, definitely!”

Here’s some important things to consider. First, many things that are “weird” are very subjective- based on opinion. Those opinions may be formed by our own likes and dislikes or our own presuppositions and assumptions. It can also morph over time as there are constant shifts in societal culture, etc. Overall, there’s probably too many factors to cover them all.

We’re going to encounter people that seem “weird” to us on all different scales. Sometimes, we let what we think is “weird” have too much affect on us in how we view and treat people. During His sermon on the mount in Matthew chapter 5, Jesus points out the importance of our heart and inner thoughts. For a long time, the understanding of the law was only based on actions. Do this, don’t do that. But Jesus points out that none of us can escape the penalty of sin because we can violate the law with just our “heart” and inner thoughts too (the reason why Jesus was necessary for us to be MADE righteous). Jesus also made this point when he was told “I’ve kept these all (the law) since my youth.” Jesus said “except” for one, and the rich young ruler’s heart was revealed when he walked away full of sorrow after Jesus told him to sell everything. Therefore, what’s in our heart and inner thoughts are important.

I point this out, not because your heart and inner thoughts will keep you out of heaven, but, as I mentioned above, it affects the way we treat people.     

Love Them Anyway

Awhile back, as I moved to be more involved in ministry, one of my personal prayers became to see people the way Jesus does. They way He looked out on the group of people and had compassion towards them. We need to strive to do our best to look at EVERYONE that way. This can be really difficult sometimes. Especially when people (from our perspective) are weird! However, Jesus is very clear on walking in love. In Matthew 5:43 he says (and I like the way the Message bible phrases it) “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘love your friend,’ and it’s unwritten companion, ‘hate your enemy,’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives His best- the sun to warm and the rain to nourish- to EVERYONE (my emphasis), regardless: the good and the bad, the nice and the nasty. If all you do is love the loveable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.”

Shew, that last sentence hit me hard, but it's what is supposed to set us (believers/Christians) a part from the rest of the world…showing love towards people even when it’s difficult.

Now, before I finish this section, let me be clear. Anytime I am addressing walking in love, I want to make sure anyone reading this understands. We absolutely should stand on the TRUTH…always. It's also ok to have boundaries. It’s ok when enough has been enough. We aren’t called to be everyone’s doormat, but we need to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to find the loving way to approach every situation and every person we encounter. One can be ASSERTIVE and patient, and kind, and not envy, and not parade oneself or be puffed up, and not be rude, and not to seek its own (my way or the highway), and not be provoked, and think no evil or rejoice in iniquity ALL AT THE SAME TIME.  

…Also I Am People

Lastly, to help us look at others with more compassion we need to understand that we’ve all got something weird about us! Maybe you can argue some more than others, but we all got something…that somebody…somewhere… would think is weird! We don’t know everything about everybody (praise God! I don’t want that burden), but God does. And He still loves you, and still looks at you with compassion. Start striving to look at everyone around you that same way.

People are weird. Love them anyway…also, I am people.

Love you all,

Pastor Joel