LOVE LIKE JESUS’ LOVES.
How is a mere human being supposed to do this? Jesus’ love is unconditional! It’s so easy to only love people who love us back, or who intentionally do nice things for us, or at the very least- are thankful for our love. But, what about when we don’t receive anything back from them? When we shower them with love, and still they reject us, or hurt us, or don’t even notice.
In the last 2 months, this has been a constant theme on my mind. I may be getting discouraged in ministry or with my team or with myself. And Jesus gently reminds me- “just love! Love yourself, love your team, love the people you are ministering to, and most important- love me!” I may feel like everything I am doing is a failure; like I am not connecting with my team, I am not making healthy decisions for my body, I hate ministry and feel like I am totally failing as a missionary. But there is the gently whisper of the Holy Spirit- “Love is MORE! It’s not about the awesome things you do for me, because when you are doing things for me, you are doing it in YOUR OWN POWER. But, when you love like Jesus’ loves, this is MY power working in you, because you are incapable of this kind of love. My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” (Wow, I feel like I just gave you a glimpse into my journal!)
But seriously, it is when I feel like I have failed the most, where I see God’s astounding power at work. This month, when I had zero passion for ministry, was when my team encouraged me by pointing out growth they have seen in my life. A blessing I received this week, was a team mate comparing me to Mary in the story where Mary is sitting at Jesus feet while Martha is bustling around trying to accomplish much. (Yes, I have always been called a Martha before. Always busy, always doing, always trying to ACCOMPLISH on my own!) Jesus is teaching me to be a Mary, and just sit at His feet, basking in His presence, soaking up His LOVE.
This month my team has been partnering with Lighthouse Ministries in Chiangmai, Thailand. Our ministry has been reaching out and sharing the love of Christ to the Buddhist monks at the temple, and loving and interacting with the children in the slums. This has been incredibly hard at some points. First, it is WAY, way outta my comfort zone- striking up conversation with a random stranger. Second, there is no structure (which I kinda hate structure anyway), but it is hard going in there and letting the Holy Spirit pave the way, and being clueless as to what is going on. And third, I don’t know Thai!! How am I supposed to make a difference to children who don’t understand a word I say?
The answer to all this is LOVE. I don’t always have the right words to say, I may not always do the right thing, or I might do totally the wrong thing. But, love will NEVER fail.
