Linus was right up to the television.....saying....GO GO GO! Then he is jumping up and down. He runs to Charlie Brown and says....I just saw the most unbelievable football game ever played. Charlie just looks at Linus as he goes on...."What a comeback! The home team was behind six-to-nothing with only three seconds to play. They had the ball on their own one-yard line....the quarterback took the ball. Faded back behind his own goal posts and threw a perfect pass to the left end who whirled away from four guys and ran all the way for a touchdown! The fans went wild! You should have seen them! People were jumping up and down, and when they kicked the extra point. Thousands of people ran out onto the field laughing and screaming! The fans and the players were so happy they were rolling on the ground and hugging each other and dancing and everything! It was fantastic! Charlie Brown's expression never changed. After listening to Linus he looked at him and asked...."How did the other team feel?"
As I researched this I found that I'm not the only one in which this is my favorite Peanuts comic. You can Google it under....Charlie Brown, how does the other team feel....and view it under images. This is the Christian life....how does the other person feel? You are in your house right now. It is -2 degrees outside. You are comfortable in the warmth of your home....a blessing from God. How does the other person who cannot afford to keep the house warm....or have any heat at all....how do they feel? You remote start your 2022 car....and it is cozy warm as you get in. The other person's car sits there....for they do not have enough money to get it running....or they do not have a car. How do they feel as they walk to the bus stop....or walk to wherever they are going? You rush through the supermarket filling your cart with whatever looks yummy....never even checking prices. The other person totals up the few necessities they grab....making sure they do not go over the $25 which is all they have to their name that day. How do they feel?
Maybe I'm extra-sensitive because I have been in all the situations of both the person who has the money to live comfortably....and the person who does not....but this is only the temporal aspect of the Christian life. The spiritual....the eternal aspect....goes like this....
You wake up....and the first thing on your mind is....Thank you Jesus....for another day....have mercy upon me this day....use me Lord....do not let me bring shame to Your name....and then use me as an example of how You can choose even the least likely to be used for the spread of Your wonderful Gospel....this as you lie there knowing full well that you have been....and still are....a sinner.....only now....you are one who mercy has been bestowed upon....because of nothing....absolutely and positively nothing....that you had ever done! Joy fills your heart....but what about the other person.....the many people actually who you will come into contact with as the day goes on?
Maybe I'm extra-sensitive here also because I was the lowest of the low....and the most unlovable....and God gave life to this dead soul....born again....adopted....adopted as a son into God's family!
So in similar fashion to Charlie Brown's response.....but what about the other person....the best friend....or the family member....the son or daughter or brother or sister or mother or father? You were shown mercy....and along with that mercy comes a great responsibility....that brings more joy than even your own salvation....seeing these other people....this 'other team'....saved....for to do anything less....to in effect say....'thank you God....now I will be on my way'....would be as the man who was forgiven much....but did not forgive others. Lord....keep the other person in our mind....yes in the cold of winter....but even more so in the coldness of their heart....regenerate that heart Lord....my brother....my sister....my friend....as You did to mine! Let them O Lord feel the indescribable joy that You have let me feel. Let them hug each other....with holy laughter....praising You for Your mercies. Do this for Your name sake Lord....for Your glory...if it be Your perfect will!
