Love for jazz and other things

I read this in Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz tonight and it really struck me:

"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way..."

Now, I don't agree with good ole' Donald on everything about this statement.  I mean, who doesn't like jazz music?  And, I'm a little partial to the saxophone since hubby is like, the greatest sax player ever (I'm a little biased, but whatever).  

However, I'm intrigued by the thought that watching someone love something can teach you how to love it yourself.  But, isn't that how Jesus taught us to love?  As Stephen and I serve in our apartment ministry as a CARES team, it is sometimes hard to love our neighbors.  We listen to their complaints and deal with the complications that come with serving people and some days I wonder, "God, is what we're doing worth it?"  

But then I think about the price Jesus paid for me and how no matter what I do or who I become, I will never be worthy of the sacrifice He made.  And I'm reminded that I'm not the only one that was bought with a price.  The very ones that I sometimes struggle to serve were also on God's heart that day on Calvary.  I imagine the love He had for them as He hung on the cross and suddenly it's not so hard to serve them after all.  Donald was right.  Sometimes you do have to watch someone love something before you can love it yourself.   

Brandy