An Opportunity to Love

I am reminded of a biblical story where Peter denied Jesus, not one, not two, but three times; all before the cock crowed.  When thinking of this story I never once took time to think about how Jesus must have felt to have his follower, his friend, his apprentice in the ministry to act as if he didn’t even know him.  I simply only thought of Jesus as God, not as man.  Sitting here, as I reflect on the story, that denial must have been a very hurtful feeling for Jesus.  I say that because not only was he God, but he also was one hundred percent human and capable of feeling the very same hurt and sadness that the rest of us feel.  I can imagine how I would feel if someone that I talked with daily, cried with, laughed with , or loved one day decided that she was too scared, ashamed, or embarrassed to any longer associate with me.  I have had similar experiences.  The difference though, is the way I reacted to the hurt and the way Jesus reacted.  I have become angry and allowed hurt, regret and sadness to fester in me towards those that have hurt me in the past.  Jesus, on the other hand, forgave and loved through the cross.  And to go even further, Peter, after denying Jesus three times, was appointed to preach on the day of Pentecost—a day that brought thousands to the saving knowledge of Christ.  Now that’s love!

For weeks now, I have been open to loving God’s way.  I call it the "1 Corinthians 13 Way".  It has not been easy, but most of my love challenges have revolved around my family and close friends—people who are dear to me.  However, recently, a Christian associate of mine highly offended me by speaking very negatively about someone I love.  I became angry—very angry.  Really, like fighting mad!  I was pissed off!  I wanted to confront the person and give a piece of my mind.  I was already rehearsing in my mind just what I would say and how I would say it. And depending on how the person reacted to me confronting him/her, I also thought about what I would do.  (For those that know me well, you know that some ugly words and ideas were floating around in this big head of mine.)

After most of the day’s passing, I had calmed down a bit.  I was still angry though, but not as hyper.  During the day, God through family members reminded me that I could be angry, but I should sin not.  I had to get control of myself.  If I didn’t get a handle on my emotions, I am not sure that I could have come in contact with this person and not have caught a charge.  Late that night as I lay in the bed, I remembered a young friend’s thought of me:  she referenced the fact that some parts of my character did not match up with the gospel of Christ that I liked to share.  (In other words, yes I am holy because of God, but often times my actions don’t match holiness; and that’s what people see. Thanks, Jada for being used by God, even if you didn’t realize it.)  Anyway, that made me simmer right on down.  Don’t get me wrong, the anger didn’t just disappear, but I did begin to pray for God to help me handle things as a Christ follower should.  I slept peacefully. 

The next morning, as I prepared for work, I stepped into the shower and God spoke to my heart:  Thank me for the opportunity to love.

I broke down and repented for my sinful thoughts and attitude.

I have been allowing God to teach me to love, and I thought that I was doing something because what I was doing wasn’t easy.  What I didn’t realize is there is so much more to love.  I have to choose to love even when I am fighting mad!  Love has to be my choice!  I asked God to teach me to love effectively and unbeknownst to me, he gave me an opportunity through a tough situation, and I almost flunked the assignment.  But oh, when I saw what I could achieve through loving someone who not only hurt me or disappointed me, but totally angered me, I knew that loving the person was the only way to grow.  I made up in my mind, standing right there in the shower to love and love hard.  I still didn’t like what was said or how it made me feel, but I made the choice to love even though.  That’s what Jesus did for Peter.  And God knows that’s what He did for me!

But my lesson didn’t end there; God showed me myself, and all of my shortcomings.  Do I still deserve to be loved?  Do I want to be loved?  Does He still grant me love?

My sin is no different from this fellow Christian’s sin.  He/She is holy because God has called him/her to be holy, just like me.  I may not have offended a brother or a sister with ugly words (recently), but have I not offended God with my sin?  Am I totally innocent?  NO!

Love is sometimes granting mercy covered with humbleness and understanding.  Even if you are much more mature than he who offends you, you are still without sin.  Yet, Jesus chose to love you. 

Whoo!

That morning in the shower, I let my anger go, and I grabbed hold to the opportunity to love for the  betterment of me and God’s Kingdom. 

Choose to love even when…

This has been Melva’s TRUTH.

Remember:  I am not the good news—Jesus is!

 One Day I'll Tell My Kids         Entry #9

Dear Cameron,

You have come so far in this short life of yours.  God has done for you the things that man said couldn’t or wouldn’t be done.  You are one very blessed little boy. 

When you were a bit younger, I endured some negative comments about your situation.  There were some people who even had negative things to say about me and how I was handling your challenges. What people said or thought concerning you often times hurt me to the core.    You are still young, but one day you may recognize that some people will hurt you with words and actions, and sometimes do it intentionally.  But don’t you lose heart! Instead, be encouraged knowing that God is giving you an opportunity to show just how beautiful and wonderfully made you are! 

You are different, and people don’t always understand how God works through our differences.  You can be a vessel for God to those with a lack of understanding, if you allow God to lead your heart.  Don’t let your emotions and feelings overtake you.  Be rooted and grounded in Christ; always choosing to express His character.  Only believe what He has to say about you!  That is the ONLY TRUTH as far as I am concerned.  And choose to love because it is one thing that is promised to never fail. 

Be strong in the power of His might, my son.   Be strong…

Love you much,

Mommy