I scribbled these words in large letters across the face of my open journal and then went back to folding my laundry. It is a good night when something gets me so intrigued that I can't put myself to sleep until I figure it out. It is worth every yawn tomorrow to have stayed up late tonight to write about it.
I wanted to process my thoughts biblically, to siphon my ideas through what Scripture has to say. It starts with, God is love. The Old Testament is riddled with examples of God's steadfast love. In fact, the phrase "steadfast love" could fill its own entry in my concordance, as this seems to be the most common adjective used to record God's response to a nation who continues to turn away from the One who always remains.
God is love, so we, in light of wanting to become more like Him, ought to love one another, and that love can manifest itself in many different ways. Sometimes it comes in the form of a rebuke, sometimes it comes with a kiss. God does not have to say at the end of a honoring life, "Well done, good and faithful servant." But He does. Saying He's proud of us communicates love. Though we may share our love with each other in many different ways, through our speech and actions--sometimes in outright compassion and gentle care and sometimes in smacking our hand when we reach for a hot stove--the important thing is that we do share love with one another.
What characterizes the life of a Christian, though, goes well beyond basking in the love of God all day. The Bible calls us to submit, trust, follow His law, pursue righteousness, actively run from evil and so forth. But before all of it, is love. And if we could really see clearly just how grand God's love actually is, then the nose-to-the-grindstone parts of life would be a joy. It's easy to submit and follow God's law when you rest securely in knowing that you are loved by the one who's guiding you. If I really and fully believe how much God loves me, then when He says, "Give up theatre and follow me," I say, "Let's roll." If you know that someone really loves you, you trust them easily, you listen easily, you submit easily.
I used to believe that you had to first know someone well before you had the "right" to call them out on a sin or inconsistency in their life, but now I'm starting to think that all you have to do is love them well. It's the whole idea of a "confrontation sandwich" (cheesy, I know, but go with me here). When you need to confront someone about something they are doing wrong, says this theory, you begin by building them up ("I really appreciate your work ethic and dedication to the company.."), then explain what you would like them to work on ("...but sometimes your enthusiasm comes off to the customers as aggressive."), and end on an uplifting note ("I am confidant, though, that you will be able to curb your attitude and continue as an asset to our team."). It has the potential to come off as cheesy, but when done correctly, serves much better to accomplish the goal at hand than the cut-to-the-chase alternative. Please don't misunderstand--there is a time and place for that--sometimes the most loving thing you can do is firmly tell someone they're screwing things up and need to change, now. Still, there are times when the more effective course of action is to slow down and love first. What may take a mere two minutes longer--to reassure the person that you are saying this only in love--usually illicits a more positive response. After all, who can look into compassionate and loving eyes and spit into the face of the love they convey. It follows, then, that the best way to bring about change in the lives of those around you is to communicate your love in every way possible--not only in rooting out their sin, but in appreciating their company, reminding them of their value in Christ, and encouraging them in their pursuit of godliness.
In pondering these ideas of love and the how-to's of it all, 2 am chased me onto a different rabbit trail, which was probably a good thing. Mulling over my own selfish desire to be loved holds no benefit, especially in light of the great work that can be done when I focus on unabashedly loving others in every way I know how. The question remains, then, and is perhaps more simple to answer than some of the other questions it brought up. Created in God's image, we desire relationships. We were made to be in relationship with God, and the bonds we create on this earth, when modeled scripturally, are designed to give a glimpse of how great our God is. Meaning, when someone loves me well, and my head is in the right place, my first thought is this: if this is only a fraction of the love that God has for me, I am utterly blessed indeed. And praise be to our God.
Fortunately for us, those who so easily become insecure or forget we are loved, the Bible is full of examples of God communicating His love and compassion toward his people...
God wires us to desire love. Then, He fulfils it.
I wanted to process my thoughts biblically, to siphon my ideas through what Scripture has to say. It starts with, God is love. The Old Testament is riddled with examples of God's steadfast love. In fact, the phrase "steadfast love" could fill its own entry in my concordance, as this seems to be the most common adjective used to record God's response to a nation who continues to turn away from the One who always remains.
God is love, so we, in light of wanting to become more like Him, ought to love one another, and that love can manifest itself in many different ways. Sometimes it comes in the form of a rebuke, sometimes it comes with a kiss. God does not have to say at the end of a honoring life, "Well done, good and faithful servant." But He does. Saying He's proud of us communicates love. Though we may share our love with each other in many different ways, through our speech and actions--sometimes in outright compassion and gentle care and sometimes in smacking our hand when we reach for a hot stove--the important thing is that we do share love with one another.
What characterizes the life of a Christian, though, goes well beyond basking in the love of God all day. The Bible calls us to submit, trust, follow His law, pursue righteousness, actively run from evil and so forth. But before all of it, is love. And if we could really see clearly just how grand God's love actually is, then the nose-to-the-grindstone parts of life would be a joy. It's easy to submit and follow God's law when you rest securely in knowing that you are loved by the one who's guiding you. If I really and fully believe how much God loves me, then when He says, "Give up theatre and follow me," I say, "Let's roll." If you know that someone really loves you, you trust them easily, you listen easily, you submit easily.
I used to believe that you had to first know someone well before you had the "right" to call them out on a sin or inconsistency in their life, but now I'm starting to think that all you have to do is love them well. It's the whole idea of a "confrontation sandwich" (cheesy, I know, but go with me here). When you need to confront someone about something they are doing wrong, says this theory, you begin by building them up ("I really appreciate your work ethic and dedication to the company.."), then explain what you would like them to work on ("...but sometimes your enthusiasm comes off to the customers as aggressive."), and end on an uplifting note ("I am confidant, though, that you will be able to curb your attitude and continue as an asset to our team."). It has the potential to come off as cheesy, but when done correctly, serves much better to accomplish the goal at hand than the cut-to-the-chase alternative. Please don't misunderstand--there is a time and place for that--sometimes the most loving thing you can do is firmly tell someone they're screwing things up and need to change, now. Still, there are times when the more effective course of action is to slow down and love first. What may take a mere two minutes longer--to reassure the person that you are saying this only in love--usually illicits a more positive response. After all, who can look into compassionate and loving eyes and spit into the face of the love they convey. It follows, then, that the best way to bring about change in the lives of those around you is to communicate your love in every way possible--not only in rooting out their sin, but in appreciating their company, reminding them of their value in Christ, and encouraging them in their pursuit of godliness.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
In pondering these ideas of love and the how-to's of it all, 2 am chased me onto a different rabbit trail, which was probably a good thing. Mulling over my own selfish desire to be loved holds no benefit, especially in light of the great work that can be done when I focus on unabashedly loving others in every way I know how. The question remains, then, and is perhaps more simple to answer than some of the other questions it brought up. Created in God's image, we desire relationships. We were made to be in relationship with God, and the bonds we create on this earth, when modeled scripturally, are designed to give a glimpse of how great our God is. Meaning, when someone loves me well, and my head is in the right place, my first thought is this: if this is only a fraction of the love that God has for me, I am utterly blessed indeed. And praise be to our God.
Fortunately for us, those who so easily become insecure or forget we are loved, the Bible is full of examples of God communicating His love and compassion toward his people...
Even though we were terrible sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)
We are referred to as a "chosen race." We are called beloved repeatedly in the Psalms and cared for far beyond the birds and the flowers in the field (1 Pet 2:9, Ps 127, Luke 12:22-34)
He is our refuge, and a place to cast our anxieties; he offers peace (Ps 32:7, 46:1, 119:114, 1 Pet 5:7, Phil 4:6-7)
We are blessed to go through trials, because those are the things that produce steadfastness within us. (James 1:2-4)
God gives to his children generously. He listens to our requests and will do what we ask in His name (James 1:5, Matt 16:23-24)
He allows his disciples to see glimpses of His glory, like in the transfiguration. (Matt 17:1-13)
Jesus eats and drinks among people, enjoys the company of even the lowest of society, makes water into wine to keep a party going, goes into the wilderness with his disciples to recharge with them there.
God gives blessings to His people and honors his covenants: gives a child to Sarah who was barren, gives wisdom to Solomon, delivers the Israelites from captivity in Egypt.
We are referred to as a "chosen race." We are called beloved repeatedly in the Psalms and cared for far beyond the birds and the flowers in the field (1 Pet 2:9, Ps 127, Luke 12:22-34)
He is our refuge, and a place to cast our anxieties; he offers peace (Ps 32:7, 46:1, 119:114, 1 Pet 5:7, Phil 4:6-7)
We are blessed to go through trials, because those are the things that produce steadfastness within us. (James 1:2-4)
God gives to his children generously. He listens to our requests and will do what we ask in His name (James 1:5, Matt 16:23-24)
He allows his disciples to see glimpses of His glory, like in the transfiguration. (Matt 17:1-13)
Jesus eats and drinks among people, enjoys the company of even the lowest of society, makes water into wine to keep a party going, goes into the wilderness with his disciples to recharge with them there.
God gives blessings to His people and honors his covenants: gives a child to Sarah who was barren, gives wisdom to Solomon, delivers the Israelites from captivity in Egypt.
God wires us to desire love. Then, He fulfils it.
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