Train Revelation

     Today while I was traveling back and forth to there and back to here, my busyness was interrupted by a train.  As I sat there irritated that I couldn't get to where I needed to be right now I started to feel the calm of the Holy Spirit wash over me with a still small voice, "take notice of the things around you".  I began looking at the graffiti on the freight cars as they went by.  Each one decorated with words unfamiliar, no doubt gang related but the colors were beautiful and the letters and drawings were done by extremely talented people.  My mind began to wander and I began to wonder about the hands that painted the graffiti, where did it originate, could be anywhere in the country.  Most probably young men seeking to belong and being trapped into a false sense of security within the only family unit they know.  Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light but he deceives us and he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
      Yes I agree graffiti is a nuisance to who ever owns the property and its destructive, I know all that but some times we need to look past the offense to see the person's hurting heart crying out for love and acceptance, not condemnation. 
     If you haven't figured out I am not just talking about graffiti, I am talking about mankind in general.  Every single person on the face of this earth has the same right to be loved as anyone else.  You have to look past whatever irritates you, could be tattoos, lifestyle, the walls they may put up, purple hair, piercings, occupations, race, religion, too fat, too thin, did I forget anything?  Jesus died on the cross for their lives just like he died on the cross for us. 

We are no better than anyone else on the face of this earth

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

 

and we are no less than anyone else either

 

Romans 8:17

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 

So the next time you see someone look past your own issues and see their need and love them.  Sometimes we don't want to because of our own issues but we don't belong to ourselves any longer.  We belong to Christ and there is no place for disobeying the most important commandment given to us.

John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Period.