As I was walking back the other day from meeting with one of the high school girls, I found myself getting annoyed at some of the men in Maai Mahiu. I thought, gosh, what is wrong with them? Why do they act this way? Why can’t they change? And as thoughts like this kept creeping in, it didn’t make it easier for me to foster hope or love for them. They are my “them.”
The Holy Spirit quietly convicted me, as He so often does. He reminded me that He loves them, the men of Maai Mahiu. That He came to rescue them. That all that He is and has done are not just for me. Not just for people I love or agree with or like spending time with. That He is also for them. And He wants to make Himself available to them.
The Lord humbled me. And as I continued listening to Him, he softened my heart. He reminded me of how far He has brought me. And he changed my perspective, which began changing my attitude and my heart toward them.
Learning how to love my “them” will continue to be a journey as long as I live here. But I will continue to ask God to change my heart. The same things that I want for myself and for those that I find easier to love, I want for them. I want them to experience Love and Life and Transformation Himself, just as I have. But they will not experience Him through me with the attitude and judgmental heart I had and so oftentimes still have.
Who is your “them?” Who do you find difficult to love? Who do you judge? Who annoys you, frustrates you, or causes you pain? Feelings/attitudes like these are sometimes so subtle; we fail even to realize them–a comment here, an opinion there. Or sometimes they are expressed in explicit hatred toward another human being. But however they are manifested, they are darkness and breed death. Allow God to search your heart and reveal any judgment, bitterness, prejudice, etc. toward any one person or group of people. Repent. Humble yourself, asking Him to give you His heart for them. I guarantee you, it will be peace toward them, love toward them, wanting good for them no matter if they change or not, no matter if they become the version of who you want them to be or not. Speak life and blessing over them.
And who knows? Soon you may find that you actually love them, want the best for them and are fighting for their good.
