Quite frankly, I don't know how people get through life without the love of someone. A mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, sweetheart, friend. Someone who loves them...regardless.
Thankfully, I am blessed with a loving family. My parents, sisters and I don't always agree, but when the dust settles, we love each other...regardless. I hope our children keep that commitment alive when our voices are dead and gone. It is a special thing, and not all families share it.
Loving someone isn't all roses and sunshine, of course. Putting your heart in free fall can be a gut-wrenching experience. Yet, Jesus commands us to love one another—"as I have loved you."
That is a tall order to fill, and it makes me wonder what Jesus would do if he were here in bodily form, handing out boxes of chocolates on Valentine's Day.
Would he focus his attention and affections only on those who love him—as you and I usually do— or would he also give to those who hate him, and hurt him, and use him, and curse him?
We all know the answer to that: He would seek out those individuals who don't love him, and who don't "deserve" chocolates, some might say. Those people who bring him pain. And he wouldn't shove the chocolates in their faces and say, "Here! You know you don't deserve these, but you can have them anyway."
On the contrary, he would extend his offering of love and say,"These chocolates are just for you, my dear child. I bought your favorite kind, and I hope you enjoy every piece. Please remember that I love you to the cross and back, and I always will...regardless."
Loving others as God loves us is a tall, tall order, indeed. But if we choose to only love those who love us, who root for us, and who think we're the best thing since sliced bread, we shouldn't expect to receive a reward of any kind—not even on Valentine's Day.
♥ ♥ ♥
"If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that."
Matthew 5:47 (The Message)
Linking to: Spiritual Sundays
Matthew 5:47 (The Message)
Linking to: Spiritual Sundays
