I have very exciting news to share with you,
You are not weak or less or small because of the way you love. Let me repeat that, just because you have the ability to scatter love like confetti does not mean you are weak.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where there is a perverted illusion that strength comes from selfishness and building walls so others can’t get in. Often, those who see the good in others are looked down upon. Those who love and love and continue to love despite all the hurt the world may bring are depicted as naive.
But, let me tell you who sees love as the greatest strength of all…Jesus. We get to live for a God who tells us His crowning achievement is love. To love without seizing. “Love those who hurt you,” He says a multitude of times throughout the gospel. Love your parents, your neighbors, your friends, and even the Starbucks barista who got your order wrong.
Heartache, failure, and crippling doubt is unavoidable. But, there is a light in our world of darkness. Allow that light to be Jesus shining through you in the way you love.
We get to love everyone in our path because Jesus first loved us.
Keep that in mind, the King of the Universe chose YOU. He chose the person that you are in the depth of your soul and heart. He loves the real you along with your deepest fears, biggest failures, and unbearable self-doubt. He did not choose to love you because you are lovable, but because He is Love.
Tip: begin seeing everyone you encounter in the way Jesus sees them.
In Mathew 13, Jesus is talking to His disciples about how blessed each of them are because they all have “God-blessed eyes that see!” How beautiful is that? By being sons and daughters of Jesus we receive eyes that can be used to see Him working all throughout our lives. Take advantage of your God-blessed eyes to see the people around you as His children, and go a step farther by treating them as such.
Look past their mistakes, hurt, and brokenness. Show all the people in your life the abundance of what they have to offer the world by simply loving them despite their faults.
Everyone is deserving of unwavering love.
You will encounter many who are hard to love. There is the possibility that you won’t be loved back. And more times than not, you will feel that the love you bring is not appreciated. But, there is no love without vulnerability.
GET RID OF YOUR FEAR OF LOVE.
Begin seeing love as your greatest attribute, the part of you that has not been tainted by the weight of the world. You were made to love and be loved.
And maybe you’re reading this thinking, “I wish I could be that person who could love without limits. I have been hurt beyond compare and I feel as though I don’t have the strength of loving anymore.”
Let me encourage you today: Jesus restores. You are made new through Him each day. The hurt and heartache you feel today is nothing compared to the joy that Jesus has prepared for your life because you are a His beloved.
The world may try to convince you that it is easier to live a life of hiding, but don’t buy into it.
You are COURAGEOUS and STRONG because you have the uncommon ability to love in this broken world.
So go out there and show everyone what it looks like to live a life for Jesus. Love as hard as you can and don’t ever feel bad for it.
1 John 4:18-19
“There is no fear in love. But, perfect
love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because He first loved us.”
