Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7) (NIV)
I visited my friend, Seru, in Fiji the other day. I caught him in a foul mood. At first he wouldn’t talk. I picked up one of his trinkets, and he snatched it out of my hand. Then he lay down and ignored me. When I pestered him to play a game, he changed the rules and cheated. Still, I was thrilled to have him near.
I overlook Seru’s behavior, because he’s three years old. I love him as a one of a kind feat of God’s creation. He has a sharp mind, a munchkin voice, and dimples on his hands behind each of his ten little fingers.
Seru is a work in progress. I don’t rush him toward adulthood, but relish each stage along the way. I rejoice in what Seru is, and disregard everything he’s not.
The acceptance I have for Seru is far exceeded by the acceptance God has for me. Love for me soaks into his heart like rain in the desert. He cherishes the me he created, while he moves my sin to Jesus. God keeps the good, redeems the bad, and looks forward to what I’ll become.
I’m patient with Seru because I know God will grow him over the years. Just so, God peers into the future and sees me completed in heaven. That’s why he’s forbearing—he knows what’s coming, and that I’ll eventually get there. He doesn’t force me to skip ahead, but rejoices over each stage of my development.
The grace I have for Peru, the grace God has for me, I can have that grace for all people. There is no room for me to refuse others the same acceptance I have so undeservedly received. No, I can never again be that infantile.
Prayer: Savior, thank you for accepting me. Help me accept others.