Love

Valentine’s Day is February’s celebration of love with overpriced flowers, chocolate strawberries, and a giant selection of greeting cards. And as much as people may embrace this love holiday, love is so much more than Valentine’s Day could ever be. Love is both an action and a feeling. We can feel love for someone, but usually loving someone goes beyond how we feel and requires action, typically selfless action. It is easy to show this kind of love to people we like, but what about the people who are difficult? What about the people who use hurtful words, have a critical spirit, or are just mean? We are called to love these people “with all humility, gentleness (and) patience” as well. These are the people Jesus left the 99 to pursue, and we are to love them as He did. 

I will never forget a phone call I made years ago to someone who was struggling through a hard season. My motive was a friendly check-in, but unfortunately, I was met with immediate irritation instead. I was caught off guard and needed to catch my breath; it felt as though I had been punched in the gut. I had to remind myself the purpose of the call was for her to feel seen and know she was in our prayers; to love her regardless of how I was received. My hope and desire are to love others well with compassion and intentional kindness modeled by the way I have been loved by God and those He has placed in my life. 

It might be easier to love my favorite people; it would take less effort.  But it is equally important to show that same level of care and kindness to those in my life that are hard to love.  Jesus never shied away from loving the seemingly unlovable.  In fact, some of those unlovable people made some of the most incredible impacts in spreading the gospel.  I never want to miss an opportunity to be more like Jesus in the way I love others. 

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Heavenly Father, thank you for the indescribable gifts you have lavished on me. Please open my eyes to those who need my love and attention; May I never shy away from sharing the kindness and compassion I have been given even with those who are hard to love. Make me more like You each day. Amen.