Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture- “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Insight: It is so easy to be against something or someone. Social media is built around this type of reaction where people can criticize freely and, in many cases, discretely and without facts. We post why someone is annoying or obnoxious or ugly or why we disagree with a policy, or a politician or a post. But rarely do you see someone take the time to offer alternatives or better yet, encouragement for all involved. It takes very little effort to let everyone know how angry you are. It takes much more thought to let people know what you are for and why. Instead of telling people what you are against, tell them, through your kindness and love, what you are for. This is the way that Jesus demonstrated His love to others and as His followers, it should be our way as well.
Jesus taught an even-higher way to interact with others, and that was by loving people in a shocking way. “Love one another” was His direct command to His followers. He was commanding them to tell others about Him, but first show them about His great love through their love. Those who are for Jesus are for love and the only thing they are against is hate. Showing others love that lets them know what you stand for can leave you quite vulnerable to their own anger or intolerance, but it is worth it. It is the only thing that can truly change this broken world. But in Luke 6:27 Jesus takes it to a whole new level when He tells us “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Jesus understood this, and He wants us to as well. It’s easy to love those who love you, but it takes real faith to love those who are your enemies and who persecute you. This is a very radical and counter-cultural teaching that flies in the face of an eye for an eye world we live in. However, while this is a tough lesson to learn, we can control this aspect of our lives and no one can take it away. We can show people the love of Jesus by simply being for love and kindness and not being so quick to point out what we are against or hating those who oppose our faith. I have been guilty of this many times as we all get sucked in by the mechanisms of instant judgement and anger on social media. Let’s face it, there is lots to be angry about if we so choose and it’s easy to react in our flesh to the emotions of the moment. But we do have a choice and there is just as much opportunity to show what we are for through loving others the way Jesus did and taught us to do. Want to change the world? Try that!
Prayer: Father God, give us the boldness and courage to change the world by being for something rather than being against something. Help us to be for loving others as your Son Jesus taught us. Millions upon millions of people need to know that they matter. Use us and your hands and feet to let them know how much you care through Jesus. Amen.
0 Comments