Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional

Summer People

By Bobby Davis September 24

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

Jim was new, and he quickly indicated that we apparently didn’t know much. His favorite line became, “Well, that’s not the way we did things in Chicago!” Even worse, he seemed to feel justified in his grandiosity! After all, he’d worked with some very powerful people before moving downstate to live among the ignorant.​

This nonsense continued until someone lost their patience. “If you don’t like how we do things, why don’t you pack your bags and go back to wherever you came from?” they shouted. I’ll spare you the details, but all traces of charity flew out the window that day. I remember​ someone saying, “Maybe he’s just one of those Summer People! You know—‘Summer’ sicker than others?”​

Later, another friend’s words came to mind. “If you ever knew everything about somebody,” he said, “I believe you couldn’t help but love them.” I decided to try that on Jim, so I began listening carefully when he spoke. He’d been married three times, and his father used his fists to get his attention. Jim was raised in a rough neighborhood and decided early on that his best defense was to be offensive. He had no use for people, wouldn’t be caught dead in church, and bragged about being the best card shark, hardest drinker, and most notorious womanizer—ever. It was hard to listen, sometimes. Much of what he said was peppered with profanity, and he kept scrutinizing me for the slightest sign of intolerance.​

Jim became my Great Spiritual Teacher—you know, those who provide us so many, many opportunities to pray and grow? And yes, I prayed a lot. But by God’s grace, I learned to listen to him with my heart, and eventually Jim let me into his life.​

I realized he was a frightened man—scared to admit he didn’t know everything; terrified that people didn’t like him, and fearful that God might not want to hear his prayers. He told me about the little priest who prayed for him, and how he struggled with the idea of a God that was personal to him. And that’s when I realized I cared about Jim, unconditionally.

He stopped sounding surprised when I called him, and began telling me he was glad I’d called. But when I got my first phone call from him asking me for help, I thought my heart would burst. Thank you, Lord! Thank you for giving me Your eyes and Your heart, so I can see Jim as You do!​

Jim is my friend today. I know a lot about him, and yes, I can’t help but love him. I’ve also been reminded to tell him often that God is crazy about him!

Do you have someone like Jim in your life? How much do you know about them? The Lord whispers, Can you love the unlovely? Find out all you can about them. My love will fill your heart—and you’ll be amazed!