(Press play on the audio thingy, and then continue to read the post. When I began writing this blog, this song is what popped into my head)
where is the love?
unconditional love that is. I see 'love' every day, but its completely conditional. Its worldly love, earthly love, conditional love.
He would love me if I was skinner.
She would love me if I weren't so loud.
My parents would love me more if I was better behaved.
whichever parent I side with will continue to love me.
If I keep my sisters secrets she will love me.
If I get along with his friends, and like what he likes he will love me.
He would love me if we had sex.
She would love me if I took her out all the time, and bought her things.
He would love me if I'm wasn't clingy.
My dad would love me more if I don't ask for anything.
My mom would love me more if I'm always alright, and never cry.
Conditional love is something I see everyday.
Unconditional love however is what God calls us to everyday.
I found my self crying one night. A boy had just told me that he couldn't decide between me and another girl. The argument on the other girls side? She had a 'hot body'. Why wasn't I skinner, or prettier? If I were better looking then he surly would pick me. The rejection I felt was overpowering. That's when God tapped me on the shoulder and whispered sweetly into my ear 'I'll always love you, no matter what. You don't have to be skinny or quiet, you don't have to dress up or change. I love you EXACTLY the way you are. I created you to be exactly who you are. You are perfect.' This my friends is unconditional love. I don't have to change, I don't have to do anything. He loves me none the less. This love is completely and totally unconditional.
I have been having a hard time with the concept of love lately, in two different ways. The first difficulty I'm having is in the way I view myself. I find myself time and again trying to change who I am to become what someone else wants me to be. It is hard for me to be exactly who I am when I am around people. I want everyone to like me. This is probably not the best way to live life, but when I come into a situation where someone doesn't like me, I try and figure out who I can become so that they will. Love, is not something you should have to change yourself to get. I shouldn't have to become someone else to gain their approval and love. I am exactly who God made me to be.
The second thing I have been having a hard time with is the way I love others. God calls us to love like He loves; Unconditionally. He does not tell us that we have to like everyone. Liking everyone for me anyways is improbable if not impossible. There is always that one girl at work who gets on your last nerve, or your little brother who finds a way to push your buttons. God does not call us to like everyone, He does however call us to Love everyone. We as christians are called to demonstrate Gods love through us. I have been praying for God to help me love like Him. I pray that he helps me not try and change other people into someone that I find easier to love, but instead loving them exactly where they are.
So now I ask you, where do you stand? Are you striving to please someone? Trying to change to please those around you? If that is the case I beg you remember what God whispered to me one lonely night 'I'll always love you, no matter what' You are exactly who you are meant to be! If you are trying to change to please someone, Stop, and realize that if you have to change for them then they do not love you the way they should. You are LOVED! And you do not have to change, or do anything for this kind of love! It comes just the same. It has no prerequisites or requirements. There is no 'if I do this or act like that then I will be loved.' It is completely with out any conditions!
On the other hand if you are struggling to love some of those around you, join me in pryer. Pray that God gives you the strength to love like Him. The patience to look past dislike, and see the person that God created exactly the way He wanted them to be. And the Wisdom to not try and change anyone but instead love them with all their hurts habits and hang-ups because God loved us first.
