DEVOTION// Don't throw that dart

The catechism students twittered as they took their seats. The pastor had hung a large target over the bulletin board.

Darts and a bullseye

“Draw a picture of someone your dislike,” the pastor told them. “Someone who made you angry, someone who hurt you. Then put your drawing on the target. You’ll each have five darts to throw at your drawing.”

The class jumped into sketching its portraits. Many took time to add details like pimples, horns, and lost teeth. Then one by one they posted their drawings and peppered them with dart holes.

Whatever you did for the least

When the target was shredded the pastor had the class sit down. Then he unpinned the bulls-eye to reveal a large picture of Jesus. The Savior’s portrait was disfigured. Jagged marks covered his face. Shards replaced his eyes, nose, and mouth.

“Do you remember,” the pastor asked, “how Jesus once compared himself to a king who said to his subjects, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)? What does this passage teach us about what we’ve just done?”

The Savior’s words are echoed in Romans 12:9-21. After eleven chapters of emphasizing God’s grace in Jesus, Paul says, Now, "in view of Gods mercy...," live out your gratitude for that undeserved love by loving others as they have been loved by God.

“Love must be sincere,” he writes. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.... Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.... Live in harmony with one another.... Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.... Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

In all your relationships focus on God's love for you. Don't throw that dart.