Love Thy Enemies

I fell in love with the children of El Shaddai orphanage in Swaziland. Completely and totally, head over heels, all in kind of love. I went to bed thinking about the highest good for them and woke up with the same intention. I couldn’t imagine parting ways at the end of the month and truly considered staying just to be near them. I kissed them before they went to bed at night and was there to feed them breakfast the next morning. I gave my heart fully to those children every single day. I still cry when I think about being away from them and they are in my every prayer.

 

When Jesus speaks about our relations with others, He doesn’t merely tell us to be kind. He doesn’t tell us to tolerate each other. He certainly doesn’t tell us to quarrel. He explicitly states that His followers are to love our enemies. Love them. (Matthew 5:44)

 

That means that the same Fiona who those children saw every day in Swaziland is the one that my enemies should know. The overwhelming sense of love that I felt for those children is the same emotion I should be reflecting to those who are against me. Just as often as I pray for those children, I should be praying for my adversaries. The unending patience I had for them should be extended to all. The kindness and gentleness that I bestowed upon those Swazi children must be the same that I pour out on my opposition.

 

This is radical and demanding, but that’s the life Jesus asked us to lead. He never told us it would be easy, in fact, He told us the exact opposite. We as Christians are called to be a reflection of His light and love in the world. It is our love that others should know and through us, know Jesus. Anyone can love people that love them back, the challenge is to love those that don’t love us (Matthew 5:46-47). We don’t get to pick and choose who to reveal this love to, Jesus already picked everyone.

 

The love I had for those children is a mere fraction of what The Lord feels for each person on this Earth. He is love. He is the most complete and most pure form of love. He looks at us every day the way I looked at those children. He looks at my enemies the same way He looks at me. If The Lord looks at my enemies and still sees His children, then to choose anything besides love is an insult to Him. Every person on this Earth was made in the image of God and we must remember this when interacting with others. When love is difficult to choose and hate seems like an easier path, we must call out to God. He will fill us with the love we need to show.

 

As Christians we must be identified by our unexplainable love. This isn’t just a cheesy line from Sunday school, it is a difficult call on all of our lives to choose Jesus over a selfish desire to spread hatred. It is a difficult, but not impossible task. We have the capability for love, which we experience on a daily basis. We have scripture to remind us of our call. And we have Jesus to call upon for help when the burden seems too heavy. We are well equipped to be the followers that Jesus asked for. The question is: are you answering Jesus’ call?