A few weeks ago I was expressing/lamenting/whining about a "problem person" in my life. My husband was listening to my little tirade and being very quiet. His silence made me a little uncomfortable so I said those four little words about my problem that you should not really say to your husband when you really just want a vent session "What do YOU think?" Very quietly and lovingly he said to me "It sounds like you don't have any love in your heart for this person." I could not really deny that what he said was true. He said "When I have someone I find hard for me to love I start praying for them and it helps me start to love that person, overlook their faults, and be able to give to them more."
Much as I cringed at the thought of his advice, I acknowledge that it is good advice. More important than it being just good advice is that "loving others" is how God asks us to live out our faith everyday. Paul said in Galatians 5:6 "For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus,.... What is important is faith expressing itself in love (NLT). " Then later he expanded "For you have been called to live in freedom my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. (Gal. 5:13-15)"
God's heart is so full of love for me that he sent his son for me. Jesus' heart is so full of love for me that he died for me. That is more love than I have a right to receive. And if I believe that all of this love is real and is extended to me everyday then the important thing to do is express my faith through love. So this is my one new year's resolution...... to find little ways to live out the call of love on my life. To love others as I love myself and do what I can to lift them up. In today's world who couldn't use a little dose of that?
