I’ve been thinking about this strange call to love people. And the stranger idea that somehow we can love people in our own strength. I mean, first off, people will drive you crazy. They are rude, insensitive, self-centered, and at times, obnoxious. They will cut you off in traffic, make you look bad at work, compete, connive, and make your life downright miserable.
Still, God has asked us–actually told us–to LOVE them. So, you tell me…can we do this in our own humanness? I don’t think so. Our limited understanding of love is that it is motivated by feeling, favor, or connection. Those are the times it makes sense to love, and even that can be a challenge. So, I think we need to get real about the fact that in ourselves we do not have the capacity to love the way God has asked us to.
Is this not the first step? If we pretend that somehow we can love out of our humanity, we cripple His ability to love through us. I think He would rather hear us be honest with ourselves…and with others…about this. As long as I’m pretending to love a co-worker or church member or stranger for that matter, I won’t admit how desperately I need Him to love through me.
Love is a supernatural thing
February 28, 2008 · 1 Comment
Categories: Uncategorized
1 response so far ↓
Patty // April 10, 2008 at 7:55 pm |
I love your transparency, and you are a really good writer. Yes, love is what it’s all about. That’s what the Lord said, and that’s what he says is the “greatest of all” and the one thing that remains. You are not alone in your struggle to love.
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not seek its own and prefers others above it self. (Boy, is that a hard one.) Then, this “love thing” goes further. It thinks no evil and always believes the best of others…Bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I’m already exhausted! Thank God for Jesus—who teaches us and enables us to love.
Love you,
Patty