Read 1 John 4; 1 Corinthians 13

I just got done watching, for the second time, Les Misérables in the movie theater. For those who have not seen it, in any of the various versions of it, it is a story about a man by the name of Jean Valjean who is imprisoned for nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread in order to save his sister’s son who was starving to death.

After nineteen long years he is released from imprisonment and hard labor only to be rejected by the world. You see, he has no legal papers as they were taken away from him when he was imprisoned, and that tells society that he is an ex-convict. He’s forever branded a low-life thief by everyone except a priest who gives him shelter and food.

But desperate times call for desperate measures and Valjean finds himself stealing precious silver items like plates and silverware from the very church that showed him hospitality. When he is caught and returned to the priest, rather than accusing Valjean and demanding justice, the priest says he gave Valjean the items, hands him a couple more items and tells him to utilize the silver to make himself honest again. He also tells Valjean that he has saved his soul for God.

Needless to say, Valjean goes on to heed the priest’s advice and he also heeds the call placed on him by God. His life was forever changed and he learns to love, even those who seek to destroy him. He is a changed man, changed by one person’s loving actions, who is now changing the lives of those around him. Les Misérables is the Gospel told in a way that brings to life the teachings and message of Christ.

We too are called to live a life of love, a life that touches the lives of others in away that shows them the love of God. The God of Valjean is the same God that is calling us. The God of Valjean is the same God that visits the imprisoned, heals the sick, accepts the rejected, and never gives up hope on the “hopeless”. The God of Valjean is the God of unconditional love.

As you move forward into this new year, make 2013 the year in which you experience God like Valjean did. Make it the year for irrevocable change that brings about hope, healing and wholeness. Just as the line goes in the musical, it is true for us as well: “To love another person is to see the face of God.” If you want to see God in your life this year, then love someone unconditionally! Make that your resolution.