Sunday, January 20, 2008

Love them like Jesus

2008 has been ups and downs for me so far. goodness, and it's only halfway through january.

but it's true. there's so many things going on in my life right now. and certain things just seem so broken. and it really really hurts.

it's not just me. i know others who are going through so much too. and i just can't help but ask God - why??

why are we going through all these?
why do we find it so hard to love one another?
why are things so broken? why are situations so discouraging?
why do we seem so lost?
why? why? why?

but there seems to be no "correct" answer to it all. God never gave me a clear "because..." and that makes me keep wondering and it keeps getting more and more frustrating. in the end, i just want to give up all together.

but in the end i realize, if we keep asking "why" we never really get anywhere. instead, it should be committing circumstances and everything unto God and asking Him what he wants us to do. but it's not so easy, i admit.

it's not that we do not know what God wants us to do, it's more like we rather choose not to do it.

we know we should love others more, love them like how Jesus loves us and them. but can you honestly say, you are showing God's love through your life to the people around you? to the people who hurt you and who irritate you? who back stab you or go against you? it's really not easy to love everyone.

Love for Enemies (Luke 6:27-36)

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

but this is what Jesus is asking us to do. the passage talks about loving our enemies. but somehow, it seems like we're not even loving and caring for the people around us, our friends, our classmates, our families, even other christians. how can we love our enemies, if even the people who we're with everyday, we don't show love to? is this obeying what God is asking us to do? i don't think so.

this is just a small part, there's so much more. and i'm sure all of it hurts God so much too, it breaks His heart. and it breaks mine too. what Jesus did on the cross for us, that love is so amazing and so wonderful, that love paid the price for the sins of man, that love sets us free! why then are we not sharing this great love with others? why then are our lives not showing this love of Christ?

it all boils down to our own decisions in the end. and for me, i want to start by trying to love and care for others more. to love them like how Jesus loves me. not easy, but i've got to start somewhere.

Dear Lord,
help me to love others, the way You love me.

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

Casting Crowns - If We Are The Body

6 comments:

Gloria the great said...

hey there!i never knew you to have problems loving others.but then again,it IS hard to love those who have hurt or spit into your face intentionally.but we are in no way to judge their ill behavior.perhaps given their situation,frustrations,burden,Godless life or whatever it is that keeps them so hateful,we could have done the same.I guess one way is to put ourselves into their shoes and try to understand what desperately makes them illtreat others.we may never know why,but one thing's for sure,that Jesus's love is unconditional,and He lives in the core of our hearts.GOd will definately help you to love like He does.

Gloria the great said...

Thinking about all this brings me back to how amazingly overwhelming God's love really is! You know, when Jesus had his last meal before He died, He demostrated great love!Jesus IS GOD and He knew from the very beginning that His beloved Judas would betray Him in the most mean unrighteous way;with a kiss.But yet,even with knowing all that is to come,He treated Judas with the same care and love that He showered upon all His other dicsiples;He washed the feet of the very person who was to stab Him in the heart.And as if it isn't enough,God offered Him a chance to come back to Him,despite his worthlessness and greedy heart. 1 john 4:10
If I didn't have Jesus, I seriuosly think I will be mean to a lot of people!
God's love is so graciously amazing yea!

Anonymous said...

heya =) dont worry too much... i understand. our society's so broken.. ppl tend to forget God's word. and yeah, glad to see ur doing something =) and i agree.. its up to us to choose! God gave us that authority.

Philippians 2
Imitating Christ's Humility
-1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
-2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
and verse
-5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus =)

oh and dont worry 2 much, leave it unto God.
matthew 5:34
therefore do not worry abt tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. each day has enough trouble of its own.

i kno u kno the bible verses better than i do =) its just a reminder to ya. relax! enjoy ur hols while u still can. be sure to make the most outta it! =D

p/s: i heard my calling today, thru ps.Larry. its gonna be a big step for me to take =) ughh... if i explain wt he said.. its gonna take up alot of space.ill share it with u some other time aights?

Keep Praying *.^ God will answer.

Anonymous said...

Gloria's right. God's love is unconditional, trust him for guidance! Though he doesn't give straight answers like "because....and therefore..." but he has his own mysterious ways. Be patient with others and God. Only God knows why everyone is the way they are. I guess the best we can do is just show love to others as how Jesus showed his love to us. And leave the rest to God =) and to Gloria's comment, AMEN!!! haha ;P

waiyan said...

thanks gloria and NICHOLAS! :)

what i was really trying to say was that 'love' is more than 'not hating' others.

when you don't hate someone, it's not the same as loving them. we tend to think that if we aren't hating and despising or hurting anyone then we are obeying God's commandment - love your neighbor as yourself. and we think that that is enough.

but it's not. we have to show them we love them, we need to show God's love through actions. and we can't say we love God unless we love others.

when Jesus said He loved us, he showed it through His actions. healing the sick, ministering to the people, with the woman at the well, washing His disciples feet, His sacrifice on the cross, and so much more. He didn't just say I LOVE YOU and then stop there. He went and connected with the people, touching their lives :) and that's how i want to love others.

LOVE THEM LIKE HOW JESUS WOULD.

and i know that the people around us are imperfect, everyone including us. and that's why we are so in need of God's grace and mercy :) we're all broken and only God can restore us.

thanks dears :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Wai Yan~

I happened to stumble upon your blog. Its a wonder how I remembered the URL O.O

Its impacting to read what you have written here. Truly...

I may not know what really really hurts, but know that no matter how tiresome and downing the situation may be, remember:

Matt 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Take care =]