Love Big
I do love people. There are times when I encounter people who are harder to love than others. For example, a thief or a thug is harder for me to love. They are so self-centered that they will hurt others to get what they want. As I write these words, I feel the Spirit whisper in my ear that I’m not much different. I still want the things I want. I’m a bit self-centered when it comes right down to it. I really try to see each person as a child of God that He created. I believe the enemy wants me to hate the thief and the thug, but God wants me to love them. Jesus speaks plainly to this. Check this out….
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NLT)
I was really hurt the day I realized that some people hate me or “strongly dislike” me because of a position I hold. I was a youth pastor at the time of this realization. When I became a REALTOR over 18 years ago, I learned this again. I felt like this profession that I had chosen was distrusted by the public. I remember thinking to myself that I wanted to show others that this could be an honorable profession – helping people with the purchase or sale of real estate. I developed habits and routines of connecting with people. I started working to serve others instead of simply serving myself. I wish I could say that I didn’t make mistakes, but I’m sure I did. I do my very best to show respect and honor to others. There are still a few that I struggle with because I don’t feel respect and honor from them. I feel like Jesus would tell me to respect and honor them anyway.
Love is big in God’s economy. It is foundational. Love is not optional in God’s economy. I am learning that the more I grow in my love for God, the more He expands my ability to love more people. I want to love big. I want to love deeply.
Pressing On!
Dwayne