WHAT WE MUST LOOK LIKE TO ONE WHO LOVES US

We live on a golf course. Literally. Well, not exactly. Our house borders the fifth hole of a golf course. The cart path comes to within a few yards of our wall. Just close enough to hear more than we want.

Yesterday while I was out in the back yard, I heard loud voices on the fifth hole. For a minute, I thought it might have been friends taking to my wife. After closer concentration, I knew that was not the case. I heard a woman's voice, but also some very crude, yes vulgar language, being used by one of the men.

They were within earshot for seemingly a long time. I walked to the other side of the yard and looked through an opening in our fence to see them talking to a cart girl. Just after she left, more foul language filled the air.

"C'mon, give me a break," I said loudly. But he was talking so loudly himself, he couldn't hear me. "What a bunch of jerks," I responded. Again out loud, again very angrily.

And, I thought, "Do you think God ever looks at us that way?" How many times must we seem like jerks, like aliens to Him. How many times are we profane? How many times do we sicken Him?

It didn't make me feel good. And I thought, "What's the difference?" I knew the answer. God loves us. I had no love whatsoever for my fellow man. Did I break the second most important commandment that Jesus gave?

I did. Am I worse than the guys' loud profanity? Well, no. God doesn't rank one sin worse than the others. They are all unacceptable to Him. Did I ask forgiveness? Yes. Was I sincere? I think so. Was I forgiving?

Man, this obedience is tough.