During a long overdue conversation, a friend of mine and I were discussing how Jesus’ instruction for us to love one another is seemingly so simple, but in practice it is so so very hard. It’s not hard just because some people are annoying or rude or weird OR because we are busy or lazy or tired. It’s hard because it is constant. Really loving people involves lots of time and patience. And that is hard.
Taking a meal, writing a note, picking someone up every now and again, while so very important, are not necessarily difficult and are not generally a burden. We do these things, feel the warm glow of caring about a brother or sister, and then go on our merry way. But what about the times when the sickness doesn’t go away in the proscribed time, the problem doesn’t sort itself out with a thoughtful note, or when one or two trips or meals turn into one or two dozen. What then? That’s what I think Jesus is talking about when He instructs us to love each other. To love the way He wants us to, is to love past what is comfortable, to love past what is easy, to love past the point of our capability and experience and knowledge. To love like Jesus is to let Jesus love through us. Man, that’s hard.
The fabulous news is that God IS love, so we have access to a boundless supply of what He asks us to give. Thank you, Jesus!
Are you tired of loving someone? Are you tired of the emotional or physical strain? Are you at your love limit? Ask God to give you a shot of His love, to give you His ability to love the momentarily unlovable and He will be faithful to equip you to do just that.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34
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Beautifully written by Monica Henry at @minionmom. Please click her Gravatar to learn more about Monica!
And 2 Makes Crazy 