Restless: Love is Messy

I am less loving than I seem. I know this because of the lengthy inner dialogue and wrestling I undergo to love people around me. 

"It's easier to survive this life on the surface, brushing up against people gently, rather than doing the mess of intentionally loving them." - Jennie Allen, Restless

This is so me. I can do without the mess. I would rather be around people who don't require as much effort, yet I seem to cross paths regularly with those who require more. It seems almost humorous when the respite I seek cannot be found even in my concerted attempts to avoid people - taking the short cut to the printer to avoid unnecessary conversation, slipping on earphones to signal my don't-talk-to-me public transportation mode, or avoiding all eye contact to escape human interaction. 

If Christ did not enter the mess of humanity I'd be dead in my sins. My pride has no grounding, as being loved  compels my love for others (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). 

This is my reminder to get messy.