I have reread a few of my last blogs and realize that I was definitely in a struggle for a couple of months. I was writing about the struggle; the war inside and yet have come to believe that I am a normal Christian. In fact, a very well known author wrote me a letter and said "What kind of Christian are you anyways? Normal thats what!" .. I am/ you are/ we are loved beyond anything we can even imagine. Whether we are currently struggling or not. And I have come to firmly believe that it is healthy to struggle. As my pastor friend said "It shows that there is something worth fighting for".
Ok, enough about that .. I want to write today about something that has been on my mind off and on over the last couple of weeks. (I make no promises the thoughts will flow, but I am writing them down, lest I forget.) :)
Maybe its because we just celebrated both Mother's and Father's day; but Facebook has recently been full of quotes; pictures; and status' about loving others. And the more I read, the more I am being convicted about what that should look like. The message is in what I am reading; and in the songs I sing and listen to - there is a conviction stirring deeper in me; even though I continue to have much to learn about love and acceptance myself.
It doesnt take many brains to know that everyone wants love; but this time, I am not writing about me being loved or God being love... but rather, I have been thinking about - WHO He calls us to love and HOW He wants us to love. I wonder how many of us actually do love the people He does, and in the way HE does?
I was falling asleep last night and I was listening to Chris Tomlin's acoustic version of "I Will Follow You" and the line that stood out to me was "Who you love I'll love, who you serve I'll serve."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XnPL3LtxpA
I thought of Jesus and the people He loved (yes everyone); but He especially went out of His way to love those who others had labelled the 'unloveable'. I bet there is at least one person who came to mind now who you have a hard time loving. Right?
Two passages came to my mind on this ... first Jer 29 from our sermon last Sunday; vs 7 says to pray for your city you are in . In this passage, the children of Israel are in the city of their enemies. The very people who in the past had raped; killed; abused; and beaten their people/ their friends/their families. Just like in Jonah, God was asking that the people of the city be prayed for and I believe He wanted the people to be loving to all of those around.
It wasnt about their own personal comfort, but rather it was about the salvation of the city; in it God did promise to protect, but ultimately, it was not about them and their comfort.. but rather "for the sake of the world" (Currently series at LifeSpring Christian Fellowship, Waterloo).
The second passage is perhaps well known to most; but I think covers the topic well and is packed full of what love is; who we are to love; how we are to love ; why we are to love - Take a read of I John 4: 7-21 when you have time, stay there a while with me; as thats where I am parked right now.
To quote from "The Voice" - "Its easy to say "I love God", but genuine love reflects God's love. If we belong to God, then we will love each other regardless of how hard love is."
Lots more to think through... thats all for now
Jacqueline
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