I'd like to share something God has been speaking to my heart lately.. and that is the title of the post: Love - even when it hurts. Love - even when you don't feel like loving. Because this, sweet sisters, is the love that God speaks of in 1 Corinthians 13. We know those beautiful and irritating words, don't we ~ Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, etc. Can any of us live up to this type of loving others? I believe the answer is YES!!! Our love for Jesus compels us and indeed, makes it our privilege and JOY, to lay down our own desires, our own demands, our own 'rightness' (even when we really are right!!) in order to demonstrate love to someone who may not even want love from us.. or perhaps to someone who has been desperately in need of it. This is EXACTLY how God loves YOU and ME!!!!
His love for you is patient, his love for you is kind. God does not envy, boast, or display arrogance. God is not rude or demanding of his own way. He is not irritated by you and he keeps NO RECORD of being wronged by you. He doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in truth. God's love never gives up on you!! His love for you means he never loses faith in you!! (And NEVER means NEVER!) He is always hopeful toward you and endures with you through every, single circumstance of life!!!
Revel in the love of your Savior today, girls. Say it out loud - Jesus, I love you. Jesus, you love me!! You really, really love ME. And then go share that love with others... even when it hurts. Even when you don't feel like it. Even when you get nothing in return. Even if the person never, ever acknowledges your kindness toward them. Because God in heaven, whose eyes are always upon you, will see - and He will take notice - and He will reward the love you demonstrate to others in FAITH. And surely YOU will be changed, even if no one else is!
Matthew 5:46-48 (The Message)
"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, 'Grow up'. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."
We've probably all heard the phrase live by faith. Let's follow the example of our Lord Jesus: lay down self, take up our cross daily, and love by faith.
Oh My Gosh Linda!!! This is incredible! Thank you soooo much for sharing this! I about fell out of my chair when I read how God calls us to "lay down our 'rightness', even when we really are right" ! Would you believe that God impressed this VERY thing on me just this last week!? God told me I needed to lay down my right to be right!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I can tell it came straight from your heart, and you have such a beautiful heart!
Thank you for being obedient and allowing God to use you in such a huge way!
Love you dearly girlfriend!!
I'm at a loss for words! What a great message to hit me square between the eyes this morning! Picture this...I'm sitting at my desk reading the post, thinking....I really don't know who I would need to love, that I'm not willing to love already. As I continued reading, I felt God gently 'snatch me bald-headed' as he turned my gaze not 10 feet from where I sit. If you know me, I'd like to think I'm pretty easy to get along with, but my relationship with this co-worker (another Christian) has been a struggle. We are very different people and I typically disagree with a lot that she says and does. Linda, I think you were so right to point out that the enemy is waiting and willing to bring out the worst in me every chance he gets. I do NOT want to be an example for him, but for H-I-M. Thank you for these words today....I needed to hear them! This is exactly what I wanted, and expected from Ignite. I am surrounded by women who are wiser than me, who can speak truth, encourage, and teach God's love.
ReplyDeleteLove you all!