Thursday, January 27, 2011

Loving One Another

Winter Hydrangea

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:34

It is out of love, devotion, deference, and obedience to our Saviour that we must always strive to love one another. And maybe more importantly, the question is whether or not we are willing.

Being quick to encourage and show mercy when our flesh/sin nature dictates being critical and self-righteous.

Often, I am quick to be critical, unmerciful, and treat someone shabby when they are at their most vulnerable instead of allowing myself to be used of Him to encourage, edify, and simply love...love without conditions...and pour myself out as He poured Himself out for me.

Mountain Mint (Seedhead) in Winter


Too much of the time I am puffed up with my own righteousness (as if I had any), my own view of how it all should be and put up walls between those that I feel don't deserve my love.

Winter Walk

In my refusing to love and serve others, I am refusing to be used of Him, refusing the blessing of enlarging my spiritual heart, refusing to line up with Him, and instead isolating myself which does nothing but cause my world to be smaller, my heart smaller.

Pasture and a Dusting of Snow

It is easy (most of the time) to love our children, our spouses, our friends, but we are called to love the rest of the family of Christ also.
This includes those that irritate us, are difficult, may be puffed-up with their own self-importance, and those that are living in iniquity.
We are not the Judge, but the vessels that are to tactfully and lovingly direct our brothers and sisters back to the one that can heal and bring about restoration. Yet, I find myself avoiding these people as I don't want to feel uncomfortable. 

January2011 516

At times there is a chip on my shoulder against those that appear to have more, may have had the ideal childhood, the ideal parents, and I judge them harshly, foolishly believing they have no idea of what poverty, and abandonment really feel like.

Corral Fence Needs a'Fixin

Sadly, the walls are put up by me and many times I hold these people at arm's length justifying my behaviour and believing that these particular people are probably ungrateful and truly cannot understand the depth of love of those that have been brought out of great sin and pain.
This of course is deception.
Has the evil one so completely deceived me that I walk, talk, and carry on daily so utterly duped into believing that others can't possibly be as grateful to Him as I?
What conceit on my part and how my heart breaks to think that in all my silly thoughts the focus has truly been on me, not my King, not His purposes, not His will be done, but my will be done.
Tragically sad!

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:18

Recently, I posted an entry here that told of a confrontation between myself and a fellow brother in Christ.
He attempted to "correct" me in front of my children and I took offense.
Boy, did I take offense. But at the time I truly believed I was right to do so.
The Lord would let me know otherwise and faithfully He grieved my heart until I approached this man and apologized.
No, it wasn't easy, but I had to be obedient.
I apologized for my angry outburst and told him that I had already forgiven him for correcting me in front of my children. I went on to explain that my apology didn't mean that I was admitting he was right in the matter, but that I should have handled the whole situation in love and gentleness, not with angry words and showing obvious offense. The relationship has been mended and I can go on... progressing prayerfully, and with my Lord's help, faithful when I'm called to "love" again.
This "loving one another" is not easy...not for me anyway.
But wonderfully my Savior is Love, the creator and fullest expression of Love!
He will continue to guide me and show me His way, transforming me as I search and study His Word.
And it is that...His perfect and unfailing love, that I'm counting on.
Love one another, Julie

Wildflower

5 comments:

Brownie said...

Nicely said. A very thoughtful - and thought provoking - blog. Thanks.

Jennifer Hoots said...

I don't know if it will help you, but I think this is very common. At least, I found myself nodding my head a lot while I read your thoughts. For me, it would be families who were together or a friend who doesn't have to struggle to make ends meet. I am sorry you had trouble leaving a comment at my blog. I have no idea why things like that happen. Does it often happen when you visit my blog? And wow, those are some beautiful pictures you took!

Wendy said...

Hi, Julie,

Nice to 'find' you again! I had you on my friends list at HSB and have recently moved my blog over here, too. I recognized your photo. :-)

Gorgeous photos! and good thoughts. Yes, the commandment to love is often the hardest, and yet it says that faith works by love. Ouch! Our pastor has been preaching on this for some weeks, and it has made me reevaluate my own heart. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

I'm looking forward to checking out your blog further. God bless!

Wendy

Miss Eyebright said...

Thank you, thank you for posting this! It is something that I need to be reminded off often. This was a beautiful post, and not just because lf the gorgeous photography. ;)

Gina said...

Good Reminder! Thanks!
Gina