Take A Step Forward

"If anyone says, 'I love God,' while he hates his brother, he is a liar. How can he love God whom he does not see, if he does not live his brother whom he sees?" - 1st John 4:20

Good question, right? But how many of us fall into this category? We love God! We say we're spiritual people, but we can't stand this person or that person. Yet, we should all know better by now. Jesus told us that the most important commandments are to love God above all else and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. And let's face it, no matter how mad we are with ourselves for whatever mistakes we've made this week, we always find a way to treat ourselves nicely, don't we? We're never too harsh on ourselves. But before we start feeling lousy about screaming at our sibling, or gossiping about someone behind their back (and we should feel lousy), let's take things one step at a time and try to make progress at loving our brother. This, of course, never happens overnight, so the first thing we need to tell ourselves is that God has mercy on all His children, good and bad alike. My father always tells me that there are no bad people, only sick people, and he's right. I guarantee that if you look into the lives of any of those people you can't stand, who have done messed up things to you, you'll find really sad things they endured growing up or tough situations they're fighting right now. This doesn't justify their actions, but if we all had perfect lives and received perfect love growing up, wouldn't we all be perfect? But we're not. You and I are not, and neither are those people we can't stand or claim to hate. There's a reason judgment is reserved for God and that's because only He sees everything, especially the heart.

So when that person you can't stand rubs you the wrong way again, remember that God loves them just as much as He loves perfect, ol' you! Even if the thought of this makes you cringe, that's ok… just offer up a prayer to God for that person. You don't have to love them overnight, but at least allow your mind set to change in the Godly direction.

Today's Prayer:
Father, You let Your sun rise for all the good and the bad alike. You love me as much as You love those who have hurt me and bring me down during the day, but in all You do, You are perfect. If You call me to love my brother, please give me the patience and compassion to do so. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.