Love Anyway

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”‭‭

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Reading the news and in current situations in my life I have been getting frustrated with people. I often try to place myself in another persons shoes in order to understand where they may be coming from. My husband says I always root for the under-dog. But lately I have been confounded with the ideas, thoughts and actions of people and even trying to see their view point confounds me.

We live in a broken world with broken people. We live in a world that desperately needs to feel the love of Jesus. We live in a time and place where people are leaving biblical truths for man made ideologies and comfortable “Christianity.” More than ever before we need to shine for Jesus. More than ever before we need to remain blameless in our actions and love like Jesus.

Ok, so I need to love. I need to love those who drive me nuts with their crazy ideas. I need to love those who pose a threat to my freedom. I need to love those who’s lives and goals seem so contrary to mine. How do I do that?!?

Only in Jesus can we find that perfect love. This kind of love is called agape love. Not a sexual love or even a BFF love, but

“agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of the will. It is distinguished from the other types of love by its lofty moral nature and strong character.”https://www.gotquestions.org/agape-love.html.

Only by falling more in love with him can I then see people through the lense that he sees them through and love so selflessly like he does. They are His! Even when my toddler is not being obedient for the tenth time in a day, I still love him. God’s love for his people never fails. He is always reaching and if he is always reaching, shouldn’t I be also?

I am called to love my neighbor. I am called to be a light to those around me, no matter how dark. When they misunderstand me. Love anyway. When they use me. Love anyway. When they accuse me. Love anyway. Love has the power to do amazing things. His love is why I am here today. His love put together my broken pieces. His love is my hope. His love is my daily peace and joy. His love changed my life and if me truly loving just one person can draw them to Him, then it is well worth it!