"Close your eyes and open your mind."

A couple of situations that have occured recently in my life, or in the lives of my friends (I know...let me vague it up a little more, right?), have prompted me to think a lot about being open-minded. I know that there are some Christians who believe having an open mind is a danger. But, it has always been my goal to be as open-minded as possible. But, are there limits on how open-minded I can be as a Christian?

God's love has no limits. He is no respector of persons. He loves me as much as He loves anyone else. He has called me to love like Him, as impossible as that is. God doesn't make judgements on a person based on what He sees on the outside. Granted, He does have the luxury of knowing what's going on under our carefully created facades. We are all His children, whether we accept that title or not.He has not only called us to love like Him, but to be His representative on this earth. He sent Jesus to be His representative as well, and He was the only one who could do the job perfectly. Jesus ate with publicans and sinners. He told Zaccheus that he would be visiting in his home. He hung out with Mary Magdalene. He did all these things, even as the pharisees were talking behind his back, plotting to have Him killed. He knew He would die, and still He loved.

Last week, I was subbing in the half-day preschool room. There are quite a few children in that class who's first language is not English. It is a really diverse classroom. One day, several of the kids were late, and the one little boy who was in there was concerned that he might be the only little boy that day. When another little boy came in, I said, look you aren't alone any more. The little boy who came in was one of the ESL'ers. And, the first little boy replied, "But, we don't match." I know he's three and didn't really mean anything by it, but it absolutely broke my heart.

One of my friends is currently in a situation (about which I must be very vague) where a Christian family is acting in a way that I don't think is very Christ-like. I wish I could tell you all of the details, but suffice to say that they are clearly being close-minded and jeopardizing the happiness of one very special little boy. And, not only are they standing in the way of a little boy's future, but they are tarnishing the witness that any Christian might have had in that situation.

I suppose I've said all that to say, that to me, having an open mind translates to being respectful of those around you who may be different. And, even beyond respect, as a Christian, God has called me to show His perfect love to those around Him. I am to be the physical representation of His love, the vessel through which He does his work. How can I do that if I avoid people with significant differences in faith, sexual orientation, lifestyle, or even just physical appearance? I want people to see me and see Jesus. I want people to see the Jesus in me and want a part of it. I don't want anyone to ever feel like they can't be their self around me because I'm a Christian.