Shane Claiborne tells a lot of great stories in his book, The Irresistible Revolution. One of my particular favorites involves him attending to the needs of a man afflicted with leprosy in Calcutta, India.
During his time serving those marginalized in a region already ravaged by poverty and sickness, the two grew very close. One day, Shane's friend looked him in the eyes and said simply, "Namaste" ("nah-mah-stay").
"Namaste."
We don't have a word like it in the English language, and I suspect that this may be the cause of much of our hardship.
Roughly translated, it means "I honor the Holy One who lives in you."
This phrase, I think, captures the essence of the love which Christ has shown us, and by his work on the cross, enabled us to express. It means looking into someone's soul and recognizing that they are a creation of God -- not only that, but also that they bear His image (per Gen 1:27).
When we recognize God's image in another, we have no choice but to treat them with utmost respect, love, and gentleness. For when we mistreat those whom God values, we fail to honor the God who created them. Jesus tells us by way of a parable in the book of Matthew (ch. 25) that "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
It's interesting to consider -- this applies to everyone. Our family, our friends, indeed, our enemies. We're called to honor the Image of God in them. Sometimes it's hard to see through the corruption that seizes our spirits.
But imagine for a moment. How could this transform the way we relate with others? What would life look like if we could discipline ourselves to look at someone who has deeply hurt us, perhaps damaged our bodies or souls such that they may never heal this side of eternity, and say to them, "Namaste," recognizing God's image in them and how years upon years of pain, suffering, and evil have corrupted it. Once we've learned this, we have discovered something very powerful indeed. For if we learn to see Good, to see God, and recognize His power even in the darkest darkness, His love shall be unstoppable.
This love wins -- just as it did on the cross, just as it can today, and just as it will when Christ returns to reign.
[ As Brandon wrote the other day, if you don't have a copy of Shane's book, I will buy you one. ]
[ Updated 9/25: Thanks to Makeesha from In His Courts and 3D Revolution for the "Namaste" image above. Check out her site (esp. Revolution) for some thoughts on missional life. - csa ]
[ Update 9/25 #2: Oops! That image came from Jeff Peck at Savage Tranquility, not Makeesha. Still, props all around for people who love to love! - csa ]
Comments (2)
Hey scott, thanks for the HT :) Yes, Revolution is definitely "exciting" to say the least hehe. I'm not sure what you meant by the image because the Namaste image was already in the blog entry, when I blogged about this entry it just transferred over - I must be confused by what you meant...which would not be hard to believe hehe.
Posted by Makeesha | September 25, 2006 5:01 PM
Posted on September 25, 2006 17:01
I think that other than Matthew 25, Matthew 22 tells of God's tri-partite desire for us: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'—(Deuteronomy 6:5) and 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'—(Leviticus 19:18) There is nothing more for us to do--find a love of ourselves within our selves, love the God who created us and all that surrounds us, and love all those around us within whom He resides. Moreover, if you go back even to Matthew 5, He is more blunt: "I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you".
Posted by David Power | October 3, 2006 1:14 AM
Posted on October 3, 2006 01:14