The Most Beautiful Thing About California

Mark 12:30-31
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

I have spent the last 3 days in Long Beach, California. Our boys basketball team is playing in a tournament hosted by Pacific Baptist Church and Pastor Joe Esposito. We attended the mid-week service last night. The auditorium overflowed into a side room and onto an outside patio. The music and spirit was Godly and exciting- almost that of Bible College. The preaching was Spirit filled and the people were so polite. However, one part of the service stood out to me as the heart of our movement.

Pastor Esposito had a children's mission offering. Now, I have seen this done before, but never like this. The children lined up and walked by the Pastor en route to the globe that housed the offering. Pastor Esposito shook hands with every child that passed by said a little something and gave each a sucker. I am not just talking about staff children; I mean every child in the church. It was beautiful: the most beautiful thing in California.

My mind quickly went to our own ministry. Our Pastor who travels all around the country, preached to our Christian School. To many this may seem trivial, but to him it is the highlight of his month. He attends ball games, takes pictures and fellowships with the young people. Not just his kids or the staff children, but Ukrainians, Spanish, athletes and spectators. He loves people. It is beautiful to see him with them; the most beautiful thing in Kentucky.

It is with these scenes on my heart that I say the most beautiful thing about California is the the most beautiful thing about Kentucky- it is the Love of God shown through people.

In the verse above, Jesus gave us the 2 great commandments. The first being paraphrased- Love God; the second- Love People. All of Christianity rests upon these two commandments. Loving people is beautiful.

1. Love People Today- No one is promised tomorrow.

I have been to many a funeral where the family is full of regrets. A son that should've loved mom more, a sister who wished she would have forgiven and countless who would give anything for another conversation. Love the people around you today- the day will come when a hug cannot be felt, roses cannot be smelled and words are not returned.

2. Love People Truthfully- No one is fond of feigned feelings.

Working with teenagers I have learned that they are quick to pick up on fakes. In fact,most people know whether you are loving them because you have to instead of because you want to. Love because you want to, make it a part of who you are and what you do.

3. Love People Who Cannot Love You Back- Reciprocation is not a Prerequisite of Love.

Bro. Esposito got nothing in return for shaking hands and loving all of those children. There were no famous preachers in that line. Pastor Fugate does not make the papers for fellowshipping with the children and teens of CMRBC. These men love people not for what they can get from them, but because that is who they are and what they are supposed to do.

Also, as Christians, we should love those who choose not to love us. When someone doesn't love you, that should be all the more reason to love them. They need love. Love them. Your love may prove to be the love they needed to begin to love others.

There are many beautiful parts of California and Kentucky. From the mountains to the beaches, the bluegrass to the white sand; the most beautiful are Preachers loving people and teaching them to love others. Maybe this is what was meant in

Romans 10:15
...How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Maybe the reason those feet are so beautiful is because of those sitting at their feet.