a simple four letter word that is so complicated to actually live out. We throw the word around like it has no meaning. We use it to describe our feelings towards a particular food or our feelings toward each other. This past month in Tanzania, I have told people I love them and care about them, but have not shown it with my actions. I have done the same with my Savior…
I have acted out in SELFISH love. I have chosen to love those who returned my love or that were “easier” to love. It took too much work to love the ones that were “unloveable” or that didn’t appreciate the things I did for them. I was exhausted from trying so much. I was being self-seeking. At this point on the trip, I have gotten tired of large groups. I wanted to do what I wanted to do with the people I wanted to do it with. I was convicted that this is not the kind of LOVE that God wanted me to live out…
I was not doing unto others as I would want them to do unto me (Luke 6:31). I was loving with my words and NOT with my actions and truth (1John 3:18). I was not loving God with ALL my mind, strength, and I was not loving my neighbor as much as I love myself (Matt 22:36-40). But I have been convicted that sometimes love is a choice and I need to choose to show selfless and unconditional love to others, not because I get anything in return, but because Christ first loved me.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that (Luke 6:32-33).”
