PRACTICE

verb: to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient; to carry out, apply

“…let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.” 1 John 3:18

Practice is a thing. A noun.

Sports practices, choir practices, business practices, dance practices. The practice schedule is on the refrigerator or on our phones. We organize, we attend, and we participate in “practices” all the time.

Less than a minute into a practice, we realize that practice is much more than a “thing”. More than simply an event on our calendars. We actually have to DO something when we are there, and that is when the noun becomes a verb. We have to move, to work, to sing, to learn, to do something repeatedly so as to become proficient.

And right now, this world desperately needs us to become proficient in real love.

Our country is in crisis. Our neighbors are grieving. Our hurting friends are crying out for justice and equality and understanding.

Hearts are heavy. Some of us who have lived with privilege and prejudice feel guilty and ashamed. Many of us hesitate, feeling completely inadequate or afraid; because we don’t know what to do.

So John calls us to practice.

He brings this message from Jesus to us:

“…let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.”

Jesus, who leaves the 99 and goes to rescue the one who is lost.

Jesus, who sees the good and beautiful potential in every broken heart.

Jesus, who washes feet, touches lepers, esteems outcasts, and welcomes children.

Jesus, who values each and every one of us more than his own life.

Real love.

The kind of love that

“…never gives up,

cares more for others than for self,

doesn’t want what it doesn’t have,

doesn’t strut,

doesn’t have a swelled head,

doesn’t force itself on others,

isn’t always “me first,”

doesn’t fly off the handle,

doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end…”   1 Corinthians 13:4-7

There are lists of practical ways to help our friends of color all over social media right now. There are books to read, podcasts to listen to, actions to take. This morning, I talked with my tan friend who has a black mom and a white dad, a multi-racial husband, and three multi-racial sons. I asked her how this feels for her right now and about her experience as a person of color. She cried as she told me about being left out of peer groups, about a time she was made unwelcome at church, and about the awful names she has been called. She shared with me how deeply afraid she is for her boys. She expressed her faith and her strong belief that prayer is important, but that we have to do more than pray.

She reassured me that if our intentions are genuine, we don’t have to do this perfectly. And when our conversation was over, I couldn’t stop thinking about how critical it is that we show up at practice if we are going to get better.

Let’s look to Jesus as we learn how.

Invite Him In

Thank him for his wisdom, his strength, and his heart of compassion. Ask Jesus to help you see every person with his eyes and listen to them with his ears. Take his hand, and let him guide your steps toward healing and restoration and real love.