In New Testament today, we were discussing the importance of the relationship between “Historical Jesus” (the guy that we study in seminary) and “Christ of Faith” (the guy we all know and love from church). The best way I could sum up my feelings about the relationship was by comparing them to a friendship- You can be best friends with someone that you have known only a few months and it is great, and they truly are your best friend. However, that friendship is so much more exciting as you start to learn about where they came from and why they are the way they are. We were joking earlier this year that we couldn’t wait to meet one of the guy’s wife because we would get some fun insight into who he really is… and I think that is why you can have the two views of Jesus separate, but they are so much better together.
In talking about this, I started to think about my own friendships. Looking at the two extremities, I have a friend who I have known basically all my life (since 3rd grade) and we have been best friends ever since. I swear we know every last detail about each other, and those we don’t know are that way because we live in two separate states now and that will be remedied when we talk again. On the flip side, I have my friends here (I’ll think about in particular for this). We met back in July before summer language, and by the end of the first night all we knew about each other was that we were both from North Carolina and 1 year apart in age. By the end of the week we were pretty good friends, but I wouldn’t say best friends. By the time we were back for Fall semester, we were best friends. I could tell them anything, and they could tell me anything… and we did. Now, having known each other for only 3 months, we don’t know each others history. We know bits and pieces, but as those bits and pieces come up, it makes our friendship stronger and I have that much more blackmail :) But seriously… that is what I look forward to every day with all of my friends here, finding out where they come from and why they are the way they are.
One of those fun parts of learning about people is finding their quirks. Those things that can either be really annoying, or really fun. I think this is my favorite part of learning about people because the quirks are what make them unique. Even better? When you have known someone for a while, and notice the new quirks that weren’t there before. For me, I just want to get to know them all over again and enjoy the differences, laughing all the way because I know the secrets that others might not know if they were to meet them today.
So here is my challenge… go out and talk to a friend, best friend, or acquaintance. Find out some of their history (not all, that would take way too long and there would be nothing to look forward to!), notice their quirks, and love them that much more :)
My dad asked me this weekend, “You say you love all these people with all of your heart… what is going to happen when you get married? What will be left for your husband?” Before I could respond, my mom answered for me, telling him that your heart can continue to grow to include anyone and everyone that you love. So now, you have no excuse not to go find someone new to love every single day!
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