The Lord has been teaching me a lot about love lately. I know I'm getting married in 5 1/2 weeks, so of course that is on my mind a lot, but this isn't the love He has been putting on my heart. The kind of love I've been learning about is the kind I should show to everyone, because He first loved me. It's easy to love Joaquim because he's just so darn good looking, and he calls me his princess and gives me shiny things and asks me how I am doing with such concern and sincerity...and then listens to my response! (Ladies, aren't you all jealous? I know, I got a good one!) But there are some people who are not easy to love. So what do I do then?
I still have to love. Actions sometimes speak louder than words.
But what if people still can't see beyond your words? Yes, the offensiveness of the gospel message is often in its delivery. But sometimes it truly is only in the message. No matter how you sugar coat things or say it with a smile, someone is going to be upset. It is those times that are most frustrating and where we feel least able to do anything.
I have to confess that I have been guilty of speaking the truth, even with a heart of love, but without a spirit of gentleness. I've even had people call me a gentle person, but when I see things as black and white, I have trouble expressing my heart...especially when challenged. For this reason I'm glad I'm a work in progress. God isn't done with me yet!
When you ask God to work on you, it can get kind of ugly. And it has. But I have no regrets and I will not waver from the truth.
2 Timothy 3:12-17 "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
No comments:
Post a Comment