You know those times when you feel like God slaps you in the face with a conviction? Not out of anger of course. More like your eyes go from closed to wide open in a split-second. Well that’s what happened to me today.
The conviction of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE hit hard!
I thought I understood it. Actually I did understand it. I just didn’t fully embrace it and explore the depth of it.
What do you do when you are placed in a situation where you love someone easily, but over time that someone starts to offend you?
-This someone isn’t family or close friends.
-This someone isn’t open to feedback or two-way communication.
-This someone isn’t necessariy going to be around for a lengthy amount of time.
How do you love someone like this unconditionally without bitterness, avoidance, and a hardened heart?
I’ve always been able to love my family unconditionally. Some times have been harder than others, but it’s family.
I’ve always been able to love my close friends-all three of them- unconditionally. Not to say there haven’t been times with a lull in communicating, but friends are family too. Just by choice instead of blood.
But when it comes to loving strangers and people that are in your life only for a short season, our unconditional love should extend to them too. I have come to realize today that this depth to unconditional love is hard!
Jesus is our perfect example in all aspects of life. Especially this one. Looking to Him makes sense, yet when I think of Him, it doesn’t help me love better.
Jesus never had a permanent home, let alone a room with a door to shut people out. He had people following Him and talking with Him CONSTANTLY. When he tried to get alone time, people followed Him and even though exhausted, would feed thousands and speak. He miraculously healed people and unconditionally loved people regardless of His relationship with them or their social standing – just to be crucified by so many of them and that even was an act of love. Jesus wasn’t getting anything in return when He chose to love us. Nothing but adopted children who disobey daily and can hardly stand bold on His word. Then there are those that just flat out deny Him altogether.
Jesus unconditionally loved, loves, and will love me. Yet for me, unconditional love is such a struggle. I shut people out of my life with walls and doors. I shut people out with headphones and technology. I choose to check out and shut off any form of love beyond surface level smiles and small chat.
Sometimes I just don’t want to love when God calls me to. What happens when I just feel like I physically can’t choose love? …Pray.
Join me in praying to see people through God’s eyes and not our own. A different perspective – a soul and spiritual perspective – surely will change our attitudes and love towards one another.
Love unconditionally. Love like Christ.
