Love for a Lifetime
If I could describe, in one word, how Jesus has loved me, it would be the word “perfectly.” That’s the best description, if I had to pick one word, to describe His love in my life. In the moments when I was reluctant to forgive others for deep pain, I was reminded of all the terrible things Jesus has forgiven me for in life. In the moments when I was stubborn, rebellious, hateful, and running from HIm, He loved me still. It seems, to me at least, that we work harder to find a reason not to love others than we do to love for reasons to love others. Love truly does cover a multitude of sins. What does that mean? It means love endures, love is patient, love is gentle, and love is longsuffering. Sounds a lot like the love of Jesus, doesn’t it?
So here’s my challenge to you (and me) today: If you find yourself looking for reasons not to love others, how would you feel if God used that process in loving us? It wouldn’t be good. I promise you that. If you’re spouse is tough to love, love them tough. If your coworkers are tough to love, love them tough. Many talk down about any self-love talk, but I truly believe if we do not know how to love ourselves, we are bound and cannot love others, and the best way to learn to love you, is to know how Jesus loves you, then you can love others. So how will you love others today? If you have to, set an hourly reminder on your smartphone to “Love others like Jesus loves you” as the note. If you are married, this love that Jesus has shown us doesn’t look for reasons for divorce or a way out. It looks for a way to dig in, and to love regardless of all the wrongs. Today, just show love.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love. Show me how to love myself by revealing Your powerful love to me, and help me demonstrate love to others. I know You love me and there’s nothing I can do to change that, but I pray my life today is a reflection of my love for You. -Amen
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
John 15:12 NLT
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