It's not always easy is it? You know, to love those around us. But we are called to love. To love mightily beyond ourselves. This is how Jesus moves through us to love. He loves in ways that we are incapable. All He needs is a willing and obedient heart.
To love the lovable is easy. What about the unlovable? Those who make life miserable. Those who add a frown to our day. Those who are rude and selfish. Those who aggravate and do ugly. Those who, well, those are unkind and unfriendly. Yes, those people exactly. It's those who need love the most.
"Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." Colossians 3:14
People allow us to see what they want us to see. Most keep their hearts hidden. They are already wounded and don't want to be again. They are carrying burdens that outweigh any joy that comes. What we need to remember is that every person has a story. It's one we don't know.
"Brothers and sisters, keep rejoicing and repair whatever is broken. Encourage each other, think as one, and live at peace; and God, the Author of love and peace, will remain with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11
As Jesus shines upon us we are to reflect His love. As He changes us inward we are to outwardly show His love. That's Christianity. That's being the church to a lost world, to brothers and sisters who are struggling.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:7
God doesn't call us to love the easy. He simply calls us to love. For us to make a difference, for us to show this angry world Jesus, we are going to have to respond differently. We are going to have to change our attitude. When we face ugly we face it with a smile. Oh, I'm not saying be a welcome mat for wounds, not at all. But sometimes it's just a smile or a kind word that can change an atmosphere of difficult to bearable. When people see us respond in a loving way it can very well be the window to Jesus they have been waiting to see.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
Sometimes it takes courage for us to love. It takes us stepping out of our comfort zone and not being afraid to be wounded by rejection. We are to be the vessel, the hands of feet of our Lord. We may not see the response hoped, but that person we shared kindness with just may go home and be encouraged in a powerful way.
Our smallest acts of kindness just may be the greatest treasure to another. A little splash of love goes a long way.
Sometimes it takes courage for us to love. It takes us stepping out of our comfort zone and not being afraid to be wounded by rejection. We are to be the vessel, the hands of feet of our Lord. We may not see the response hoped, but that person we shared kindness with just may go home and be encouraged in a powerful way.
Our smallest acts of kindness just may be the greatest treasure to another. A little splash of love goes a long way.
"May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you." 1 Thessalonians 3:11-12
