Love sums it up

Why can't we all just love one another?!?

I must say it 100 times a day. "Love your brother. Honor him above yourself." And sometimes it might not come out as calm and nice-sounding, but more like, "Stop being so selfish!"

We tell them that they will be blessed as they obey God, and will have consequences as they choose to disobey. Well, guess what? So will grown-ups! So do I.

I don't know why but I have been flooded recently with the idea of 'loving my neighbor'. Maybe it's because I'm studying the book of James, and he is serious about not just having a "believing faith" but a "doing faith." If we're not living it, James would say, we're probably actually not even believing it.

I've also been flooded with the concept of how we love other people, especially when it's hard. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says if you only love those who love you, what good is that? (paraphrase of Matthew 5:46) It may seem I can start my day full of the Spirit, ready to pour out that love onto everyone around me, but then when the people actually come into view, and they start doing things that I didn't expect and don't really like, that love tank empties out fast. I get offended...and hurt. And hurt people hurt people.

But if we all would remember that concept then maybe it would actually be easier to love and have grace for others. We are all hurt people. We can't walk out our front door most days without having felt some ounce of hurt from something someone has done or said (whether it was that day or even years before). Our human minds and emotions do not let go that quickly. If we could look beyond ourselves, though (talking to myself here), then we would realize we are all hurting in some way. We do not have any idea what it's like to be someone other than ourselves. So we really cannot know what another person is struggling with or hurting from. And nothing and no one can truly bring healing except Jesus.

That is how I want my kids to respond when they are hurt. I know their hurts right now mostly amount to a toy being grabbed away from them, or sand getting in their eye, but I want them to think of that other person, and pray. No matter what their hurt might be, that other person is hurting too. Deep down in our souls there is a God-shaped hole in everyone, and when that is not filled with the Lord, then we are bound to live out of selfish tendencies...which leads to not loving others.

What would this world be like if we all had grace for one another? Praying for each and every person who "wrongs" us, instead of instantly accusing and judging, standing up for our rights and retaliating (even if it's just in our thoughts). Not excusing sin or justifying it in any way, but leaving it up to God to be the righteous judge that he is.

Maybe that's why Jesus said, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love...and my command is this: LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!" (emphasis added, John 15:10,17)