Bulletproof

I remember when I was in my late teens and early twenties. Hey, don’t laugh! I can remember that far back! I knew absolutely everything, and felt like I was bulletproof. Nothing was going to come against me or harm me.

Then I grew up when reality set in.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the selfish driver I mentioned in my last post, I, and I alone. He had no regard for the safety of those he was passing. Or for himself for that matter. He could have easily caused a wreck that hurt or killed others and himself. But he drove like he was bulletproof.

I guess that is the cause of living in a fallen world. People are selfish and careless of others. Mark 12:31 and Matthew 22:39 both say to love your neighbor as yourself. Based on this driver’s conduct, he does know how to love himself—not his selfish love, but real love. Like Jesus love. Therefore he is incapable of loving others, and not doing things that would cause them harm.

A bulletproof vest is also designed to keep the heart safe from outside harm. I believe there are people who have put on a spiritual bulletproof vest to stop harm from entering in, because they have been hurt emotionally in the past. The downside of that is it does not allow anything good to come in either. And they are robbing themselves of being loved. That also adds to being selfish and shutting others out and caring for their well being.

But we can be bulletproof in a good way. “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised, I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56: 3-4 & 10-11)

(I love when God repeats Himself!)

All of this got me thinking about this verse. “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:48)

Jesus has given me and entrusted me with His love. I am required to share that with everyone I come into contact with. Since I have His love, I have the ability to love myself, and therefore can in turn, love my neighbor. I can look for opportunities to share that love, whether in big or little ways, as I am prompted by the Holy Spirit. I can be considerate of the needs of others, and not only be thinking of “I, and I alone.”

Every morning, before I even get out of bed, I pray that God will use me to encourage someone and brighten their day. That I may be the light in their darkness. And God never fails me. He always out people in my path. But I need to be mindful and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

I need to, “Pay close attention to what I hear. The closer I listen, the more understanding I will be given—and I will receive even more. (Based on Mark 4:24)

More, more, more! But not in a selfish way, in a godly and wholesome way!

Then, “Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.” (2 Peter 1:7)

Since more is required of me, I need to stay close to the Source of Love, to get the strength I need for that day, to the point where I will eventually be able to love everyone. Because I’m sure you will agree, there are some folks who just push your buttons and are hard to love! But I am required for more, so will strive for that! Then I will really be bulletproof, and their fiery darts will not penetrate God’s armor. And I can fearlessly be His shining light in this selfish world. Because what can mere man do to me when I have God backing me up?

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