Our world throws away the broken. It’s what we do. We tend to look for the greener pastures. When people don’t meet our “needs” we think about tossing them to the side. At least I do. But that’s not Jesus, or His example of enduring love.
Jesus went to a cross and bled and died for people who hated Him. Then He rose to defeat the consequences of my sin. He intercedes for the wayward. He pursues the lost sheep. He moves towards His own rather than running the other way.
I long to love like Him. But…I can’t.
When left to me I hurt in return. I sling back the same insults. I think up the most effective revenge tactic. I revile when I’ve been reviled.
It’s only when I die to self that His love can come out. It’s only when I confess my insufficiency that His love can birth. It’s only when I believe Him to fill me by the indwelling power of His Spirit that I even remotely reflect my Lord.
People won’t always meet our expectations. They will misunderstand or misrepresent us. But love doesn’t stop just because that other person turns away. True love endures to the end.
It presses through the hard and digs deep in prayer, following Jesus’ example.
We can’t love like Jesus when left to us. It’s impossible. In our flesh, we’re too self-focused and needy. But He can love through us. The God of endurance and encouragement can enable us in spite of us. (Romans 15:5) What grace.
My challenge to us today is that we take one step in the direction of enduring love.
Just one. Let’s move towards that person we’re tempted to discard, enduring like our Lord.
So tell me, what will you do as an act of enduring love today?
Love this! What a great reminder! Especially for a Monday morning. :) Thanks Lara!
Yes! I’m taking the challenge myself. Turning towards.
To really love as Christ is a tall order but when we keep in mind how much He has loved us despite our unloving ways, it makes us want to extend that love to others. As I go about my day, I will keep this challenge in mind.
Bless you, Wanda. :)
“Jesus went to a cross and bled and died for people who hated Him. Then He rose to defeat the consequences of my sin. He intercedes for the wayward. He pursues the lost sheep. He moves towards His own rather than running the other way.” I love that. So powerful! I don’t think I can ever love like that, but we can try, right? I’m trying to be more intentional about being focused on the people that I’m with so that they know I love them. Not exactly sacrificial love, but it’s a start.