1 John 4: 7-21
‘Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God. . . (Verse 7a, AMP)
I really love the lady who lives not so far from us. She’s really sweet, has a calm and amiable mien around her, very thoughtful and kind. I would readily go out of my way to do stuff for her. She is one of those i call ‘easy- to- loves’. Who wouldn’t?
God is not calling us to only our ‘easy- to- loves’. He’s also calling us to our ‘difficult – to- loves’! We all have them. People who make it difficult for you to remember you are a Christian. God is calling us to love even when we have been hurt or betrayed.
I haven’t learnt to lay aside the hurts and love again completely. Most times I think I have, then something happens and I realize the scars are still there, for I am reacting from the memory of that old hurt. Whew! I am definitely a work in progress.
One thing I know is that love is from God. There’s no way i can love my ‘hard to loves’ on my own. Sometimes, I try to avoid them, so I don’t have to deal with the love thing, but then that’s not really love is it? Lord, today I’m honest about the difficulties I face walking in love. You are Love. Fill my heart with your love, fill it to the brim and let it overflow, help me bath my ‘difficult to loves’ in this love, so that every area of my life will bring glory to You.
In case you’ve forgotten what love entails, here’s a reminder:
Love is patient and kind, never boastful, proud or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting. Love never fails! (1Corinthians 13:4-8, CEV)
Permit me to add: love is not insecure. I’ve found that most of our non-love based actions are rooted in insecurity; we act out because we feel vulnerable and maybe, threatened.
I pray the Lord brings healing to my heart and yours today, helping us walk before Him in perfect love.
Shalom.