I hear the words somewhere inside me rise to the surface, exclaiming:

“It’s not a project, but a person.”

Hmmm.

What does this mean?

After hours of internal interrogation on the possibilities, the following is my two-bullet-conclusion:

• A project has a set agenda with a set goal to accomplish.
• Yet, a person is a living, breathing entity.

Yes, I am that smart intelligent.

In all seriousness, if I look at a person as a project, I risk harm to the relationship.

Because, if I pursue an individual as a project in need of repair, and attempt to project my agenda into the restoration process, albeit good and necessary repairs like obedience, cleanliness and discipline, I risk damaging the good of my relationship with the individual.

It may appear I accomplish completion in the character transformation of another, but flaws soon surface because the external condition is inconsistent with internal conflict within.

But, if I pursue a person as Jesus does, with truth awash in His Love, then it is a win-win result.

Dividing lines of defense crumble when I pursue a person with the brushstrokes of love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control, and my former agendas transition into deep, meaningful conversations which cross the boundary lines of opposition.

Yes, it is not a project, but a person.  

Who is that person in your life you are looking at with Pinterest eyes?