Here's something interesting - there are probably only three people right now in my life that have the ability to take my breath away. Is that something to measure love? No. But it does provide a lot of kilig moments. Hmmm...but more importantly, this blog is not about love in the romantic sense. This is just a post to simply be talking about loving others.
Last year's verse of meditation for me was from the book of Matthew where Jesus says that if anyone wishes to follow HIm, they are to take up their cross, deny themselves, and follow. It's definitely a lesson that I really learned last year and could continue learning more this year. But it's time to move on and see what is needed.
I think, for me, as of day one of the new year, it's more about defining what real love means from a Christian perspective. Love doesn't always mean being a nice guy and letting people destroy their lives. Love should be wanting the best for that person, even if it means rebuking them or going to the point of being hurt by them. If you're going to try to help a dog that is wounded, you're most likely going to get bit. In the same way, I know that people tend to be like that too. Lately, I've been noticing people more, just having small flashes of loving them with the love of CHrist. Like, I may not even know the person taht well, but I suddenly get this sense of value in the person, that this person is worthwhile, that God made them. And then it makes me sad when I fail to show love to that person, to let them know that God loves them. I keep trying to figure out why it is that I can't do it.
There are so many times I want to just talk to someone in a cashier or a store clerk or even a security guard and find out how their day is going. As they say, being a representative of Christ should also mean that some relationships are long term and aren't always about speeding through the gospel message. There are times that we are to just be friends and let them see the love of Christ in us. I really wish I could do that more. But it costs money to spend time in a store. Lol. What a reason to raise support, huh? I go witnessing to the everyday folk that tend to be forgotten. I don't know. I really wish I could go and just talk to people more. But it's so hard for me to get out of my shell and just talk to people I don't know, even when they so easily make the first effort. My dad is amazing at this skill. He has no problem making friends with anyone. He can open up in a way that is natural and not like in a "i have an agenda" type of way. THis is one thing I really want to grow in this year.
I guess I'm scared of being rejected - of making a fool of myself and getting asked to never come back. There's that fear. But then isn't it a selfish fear? Isn't that like someone that was given a flashlight and is afriad to use it cause people say that it blinds them at first. Why is that? Gotta work on it. Gotta trust God more.
What does it mean to truly deeply live for God? In your life? What does that mean? And a deeper question to ask is - when there are storms in your life, do you trust God even if the storm still rages around you? Do you stand strong trusting on Him even in the face of the worst mess imaginable? Are you like Job who has confidence in the Lord no matter what? If only I could reach the point of being like Job, being able to say that even the Lord smites me, still I will worship and praise His name. Scary? Yes. But isn't it awesome when you love your parents so much to the point that even if they discipline you, you still love them?
So one last question for all of you to comment on below: What do you wish to happen by the end of this holiday break?
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