Have you ever loved someone? I am sure everyone can say yes to that. Have you ever loved someone who doesn't love you back? Or in a way that you are used to? It's hard, isn't it? Especially when personalities clash, opinions clash, denominations clash.
It is hard to always want to love others when they don't love you back. It's easy to do when it is reciprocated, but very difficult when it is not.
I am a words person. Words of affirmation. Encouragement. It's my love language. I didn't really buy into the whole love language thing because I thought it was just another bunch of self help people who were trying to sell a bunch of books. But I took a look at it, took the test, and found out that it was a pretty accurate assessment of how I give and receive love.
Words mean very much to me. I will write and rewrite this blog several times before I publish it to make sure that the right message is coming across and that it is not misunderstood.
I love to encourage others. Nothing brings me more joy than to lift someones spirits in a day by saying something positive. Pointing out the strong traits and encouraging them to press on. It's easy for me to do so, especially towards people whom I know will be receptive to it.
What happens when they aren't? When the things you say seem to mean nothing and that love is rejected or dismissed? And by love I don't mean romantic, emotional love. I mean God's love. Agape love. What happens when you try and show God's agape love to someone who could care less if you spoke the words or not? When that e-mail never comes back? When the text message is ignored? When the phone is never answered?
You love them anyway.
God's greatest charge to His people, His church is very simple. LOVE.
"We love because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19
I heard a saying once that said, "Love your enemies. It will drive them crazy." It sounds good, but I could see someone abusing that saying. Some people would read into that and think, "I am going to "love" that person so that I can drive them crazy and inflict more pain." I see some flaws in that statement. However, we are commanded to love others AND to love our enemies. Love when it is easy. Love when it is hard. Love when it hurts to do so. Love when it seems that it is getting you nowhere.
Love when it doesn't make any sense to do so.
I feel like that sometimes. Loving others when it makes no earthly sense to do so. When I know that it won't be reciprocated. When I feel like it mattered little to that other person for me to show them love. I love them anyway.
Love isn't a fight. It shouldn't be. If we are in the Word and walking intimately with our God, love should come as an act of worship. It should be something we want to do to bring Him honor and glory, not because it makes us look better. It is something that we should be compelled to do even when it is hard. Even when it doesn't make sense. Especially when it doesn't make sense. We love others to reflect the One who first loved us.
"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." -1 John 4:12
I am preaching to the choir on this one. Sure, there are days when I don't feel so loving. There are people around me that I would rather not show love to. But, it is in those moments that love must increase all the more. I want people to see Jesus living in my heart, in my actions, in my words. When those words of affirmation need to come. When that text needs to be sent. When an e-mail is written, even when there isn't a response. When that phone call needs to be made. Even when it isn't fun or I don't want to, I do. Why?
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" -1 John 3:1b
Because He loved me first.
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