that's love.

Oswald Chambers' Utmost for His Highest is a daily read for me.  I've been reading it for at least a couple of years now (okay, not every single day) and it continues to stretch my thinking and bring new things to light in scripture and push me to dig deeper. I was hit hard a few days ago when Chambers wrote about Mark 10:21.  Here Jesus is talking to the rich young ruler, a sad story for the most part.  It is clear that the rich man knows Jesus has something that he wants, something he can't buy, yet he still can't see past all of those things that make him feel comfortable and powerful and secure.  But Jesus can.  Jesus sees past all of the junk and looks the man straight in the eyes.  In the King James Version (below), it reads that Jesus looked at him and loved him.  Instantly. Simultaneously.  There is no distinction here between the look and the love.  That is how God loves us.  He sees through the junk and loves us for who we are, even if we don't really know who we are, even if we're completely screwed up.  No questions asked.  I want to love people like that.

Behold God beholding you, and smiling. 

[Anthony de Mello]