Jesus is more than interested in you

Excuse me for a second while I make a mountain out of a molehill.

I try send out a weekly event invitation to our Sunday meeting on Facebook. It’s a small gesture. For some, it’s a reminder of their weekly discipline. For others, it is a new opportunity for worship. Still for others, it’s a chance to reconnect. Most people seem to ignore it, it seems. Some of the faithful—or the obsessive—say "yes" each time. Newly connecting people seem to respond too. Some folks are earnest and they say “maybe.” They might come if they can get to it, if their schedule is free for us, if they get off work easily, etc. I sympathize with them and I am glad they are trying to connect. I appreciate the attempt, even.

I like the "maybe" option. Because sometimes I genuinely want to show up and have to, say, organize childcare to attend. So "maybe" is what I select. I think people are understanding of that.

This morning I got a few notifications that told me that a few people were “interested” in attending the event. I was confused because I thought, "Of course, they are interested. They're my friends."

Again, I’m making a mountain out of a molehill, but there’s something I can’t really stand about someone merely being “interested” in me. I know it probably isn’t a big deal, but my friends tell me that I tend to extrapolate these things to see if there is a philosophical conclusion to be wary of.

I wrote about this change on Facebook and my friend Colleen said, “It’s like saying you're kind of committed, but if something comes up you have the excuse that you did say you were just interested.”

My friend Belle made a good counter-argument: “Also, take into consideration that folks have multiple commitments and multiple invitations. I don't think it's always apathy/non-committal sentiments.”

“Maybe” might be equally as non-committal, but there’s something that’s painfully indifferent about being interested. Maybe it’s because “interesting” is such an uninteresting word to use. Sometimes when my friends get stuck in a boring conversation that sludge through it just by using that word.

I, for one, am interested in almost everything my friends are doing. If they are inviting me to an event, I take an interest. Not always because I prefer to do it, but because they are interesting to me because I love them and I care about them.

I don’t know if Facebook leads us or if it is a mirror that simply reflects the postmodern society's values. It might simply be a facilitator. I bet it’s a mix of both. But I am resisting being organized by Facebook and I am resisting whatever notions of the world it is accommodating.

That’s because I know God is interested in me and loves me. Everything I do he’s interested in and engaged in. I think he shows up too, in my life, in my despair, in my dreams and future. I don’t think he merely passes by me and notes that I’m interesting as he goes on his way. Granted, I think God has an extensive attention span and ability to know and love me. He is an amazing paradox of a transcendent creator and a personal savior.

That is true of you too, no matter how uninteresting you think you are. You might think you are boring, stupid, and unnoticeable. But God notices you! God loves you and is interested in you too. I hope that his love of you inspires you to show interest, care, and attention to others. Love them back too! A good way to do that is to join us on Sundays, really. So go ahead and say "yes!" to that invitation.

Belle’s right, you can’t get to everything all at once, and so any expectation of that is unfair. But I want to mimic my creator and show interest in my friends and love them too. I hope you return the favor and forget Facebook.