Love Your Enemies

I think one of the demands we most grapple with as Christians is how to lovingly and peaceably deal with unpleasant people and relationships. It's a tough one. So often I hear, "It is okay to eject mean or contentions people from our lives because wrong treatment should not be put up with." I wonder how Jesus feels about that? I will insert here, I understand well the struggle, and am passing judgment on no one but myself. But I feel strongly that it is a subject worth sharing.

Difficult people are difficult to deal with, plain and simple. But when considering the verse "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He [Jesus] walked" (1 John 2:6) we mustn't overlook the sufferings of Christ while He walked this earth. Peter stated it this way, "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. ....but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered, He threatened not; but entrusted Himself to Him that judgeth righteously (1 Peter 2:19,23).

If we read our Bibles at all, we cannot deny that there is scripture upon scripture about how we are to treat all people, including those who hate us....."Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44), "...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). The list goes on, and I have found no where in the Bible where it says that it is acceptable to eject people from our lives simply because they have mistreated us, or they are difficult or contentious. But I will be the first to admit, loving those who repeatedly do us wrong is no easy task, and it is for certain, doing so in a way that is Christ-like, can only be done through Christ. I will let it be known that this is something I struggle with, and I have personally asked God, how does one love, respect and honor those who are hateful, selfish, unkind, and who do not respect others? And what He revealed to me was this....we do not respect or honor people because they have earned it from us, but BECAUSE Jesus earned it for them by His love and sacrifice on the cross For All Mankind. That was quite an ouchy for me. I could certainly argue that some people are just plain mean, but I most certainly can not argue with the fact that Jesus died for mean people as well as kind people, and not only does He love them, but He expects me to love them as well, ( and I think it only right to say here that it's not simply for their good, but for ours). Make no mistake, God places people in our lives for a reason and for the good of both parties. If we can't, through Christ, love the unlovable and forgive the unforgivable, where does that leave us? and how shall we ever show the world the love of Jesus if we refuse to humble ourselves to His way of loving?

The verse that struck me the most on the true nature of our struggle in this world pertaining to ourselves and the human race was found in Ephesians 6:12, and I have found it to be not only a comfort, but a source of wisdom and strength, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).

I end on this note: If you are like me and are struggling to love the difficult people in your life, running away from them is not the answer; instead, let us run to Jesus, as often as necessary, to accomplish His purpose and glorify God in His command, "that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another" (1 John 3:23).

An Old Apple Tree, A Fresh New Look

My family has lived on this old farm for nearly 9 years now, and of the 4 trees in what we call our yard, our apple tree has been the one I have found to be the least attractive. It is very scraggly looking, its branches are thin, and I have never found it appealing to the eye, even in the summer when it bears its sweet fruit......until recently.

While outside one day taking pictures of another tree in our yard, I glanced over at our apple tree and decided to show this scraggly looking tree some pity and attempt to take some worthwhile shots of its sad looking existence. I was surprised to find, after taking a closer look at its branches and observing the new direction in which some of the limbs grew after being beaten by storms and bitter weather, that this scraggly looking tree now looked very different after a fresh look from willing eyes. I saw its many scars and felt almost shamed for not having more compassion for the life this tree has lived. I had been judging this tree from a distance for 8 years and had never even bothered to take a closer look at it. My judgements were based on what I took the time to see, and my vision was terribly blinded by those rash judgements. It wasn't until I got up close and personal with this apple tree that I saw the beauty it possessed.

I have been observing this tree over the last few weeks and I have seen a loveliness about it that I never knew existed. It has many scars, yes, but they ooze of its perseverance to survive bitter storms and great loss. Its branches, though thin, show great strength despite being blown to and fro, strong enough to carry the heavy load of its summer fruit. And as I continued to go back again and again to visit this once ignorantly ignored tree, I began to see new life growing from it-- bright young greenery, pink hues coming out from the growth on its new branches, and now, dark pink blossoms that turn a pale pink as each flower unfolds. And there is not only beauty and life within this tree, but life outside of and because of it-- the buzzing bees, the singing birds, the lively ladybugs, and on and on it goes, life extending and thriving because of this one apple tree. How poorly I had misjudged this sweet apple tree, that for 8+ years looked scraggly and insignificant to me, all because I failed to put in the time to take a closer look. And the sad loss was all mine.

I think we often make this same mistake with human beings. We look at their rough exterior from a distance, the way they dress or present themselves, their tough attitudes, their not so nice way of speaking, or insensitive comments, and we make rash judgements. But are we looking close enough to see their scars? To see the storms they have weathered and why maybe their life has taken an unpleasant direction? Are we looking for the unique beauty in them which each of us possess because we were all created, wanted, and loved by the same God? Not all of us have been fortunate enough to have strong family support, people who point us in a better direction when a storm has left us battered, beaten, and broken. And not all of us were born with the seemingly natural ability to overcome strenuous circumstances, with a strong will to become better rather than bitter. Some of us find it easier to go wrong than to go right. Each of us were designed with specific flaws, shortcomings and weaknesses that few understand, and even fewer, who will love us through it. But in each of us there IS beauty. Each of us have a purpose and gifts that better the world because of our existence in it, which was designed by God. And all of us have touched and been touched by another, extending life and thriving because of that touch.

We as humans, and especially as God's people, need to take a closer look at the people we are judging from a distance. If we will but offer our heart up close and personal, rather than our judgements from a distance, we will find a beauty in others that we never could have seen from far away. And through that beauty we will fall in love with that imperfect soul who merely needs God's grace just as much as we do.

May each of us learn to love all from the following scripture:

1 Timothy 2:1, 3-6

(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all,  supplications, prayers, intercessions, and the giving of thanks, be made for all men;

(3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

(4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

(5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ;

(6) Who gave Himself a ransom for all,...

#love1another ♡

Weary Heart, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

We will never find healing by focusing on our hurts. The more we think upon the pain that others have caused us, the deeper our wounds dig in and spread out. Healing comes when we lay our hurts at the feet of Jesus and focus on Him, thinking upon Him, choosing Him above our afflictions. When we allow our afflictions to consume us, they become an idol and bump God into second place. And there is no greater danger to any soul than to allow anything to occupy 1st place but God.

As someone who knows this struggle, I know firsthand how easy it is to fall into this pit. So I encourage anyone that may need it, as Jesus has encouraged me, to turn your eyes and your heart and your thoughts upon Him, "the Sun of righteousness *who arose* with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2)