Love Who Is In Front of Us
What can we do when it seems like the world around us is falling apart? When it feels like the hate is palpable and the end of division is nowhere in sight?
Love who is in front of us.
What can we do when the world seems hopelessly lost? And nobody seems to regard the Jesus we know and love?
Love who is in front of us.
What can we do when we feel disappointed with ourselves and see ourselves repeating the same sins we had hoped were long gone from us?
Love who is in front of us.
Sometimes the person in front of you is your spouse or child.
Speak kindly.
Smile often.
Offer to help.
Give grace.
Ask a question.
Really listen.
Remember the good.
Do a thoughtful gesture.
But mostly, talk to the Lord about how grateful you are that He has entrusted you and equipped you to love and care for this human being.
Sometimes the person in front of you is a stranger.
Say hello to the stocker behind the boxes at the grocery store.
Wave the driver ahead, waiting to cut in front of you.
Hold the door for the mother with her kids entering a restaurant.
Smile, give deference. Love does not need to seek its own.
Give respect, even when it’s undeserved.
Forgive. Pray for them, even those who despitefully use you. (Matthew 5:44)
“Carry their armor” two miles instead of one. Give your coat in addition to your shirt.
But mostly, talk to the Lord. Get to know Him and the LOVE He has for these others.
Sometimes the person in front of you is you.
Say kind words to the person you see in the mirror.
Get good sleep.
Eat good food and exercise.
Do something fun, something you love to do.
Go for a walk outside, and look at the beauty of nature.
But mostly, talk to the Lord. Get to know Him and His heart for you and for all mankind. He is a wellspring of LOVE, the very thing you and the world needs.
The more we know Him, the more patience, kindness, and grace we have for others, and even ourselves. We might not save the whole world, right every wrong, or rescue the planet from misguided logic, but we are equipped to be ambassadors to those whose only real need is the LOVE of God. And oftentimes that person is right in front of us.
Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. (1 Corinthians 13:5, TPT)
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:7-8, NKJV)