27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[b] either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27-36
It has been quite some time since my last blog and wasn't sure when I would have the time to write again. However, this week I was pressed to make time. My heart can only hold so much when it comes to the people of God and the things of this world. I am heartbroken by the hate and negativity that has been unleashed throughout our country and possibly around this world. I can only share with you the things I hold dear to me and the personal experiences that I have had in hopes that it will encourage you. Encouragement is what we need to live day by day in hopes that things will fall into the proper alignment and it must be in line with Gods plan for our life for anything to work.
Let me begin by saying "...Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...". Christ spoke these words to us. But interestingly enough, he began the verse by saying "But I say to you who 'hear'...". The word HEAR is defined as such: To listen to with attention, to gain knowledge, to perceive or apprehend by the ear and to listen with favor. We must first choose to listen before we can make a decision. Christ called the people to "hear" what He was going to say, placing emphasis on the word "hear". He immediately followed up with "Love your enemies" and "do good to those who hate you". What a statement to digest. But how can we do this when the person before me clearly hates me? How can I even look that person in the face, much less, even pretend to like them? We encounter this on a daily bases. Not everyone will like us. And not many with love us. What a revelation right? Not at all...this is life. We live day to day with this and that is why Christ left these instructions, so that we can be the ones to make a change.
My daughters and I shout out in our truck on the way to school everyday, "Lord, help me to be the greatest example of YOUR love to everyone I meet today". And I believe in their little, big hearts they strive so much to do this on a daily basis. Our children can often times love more than we do because they do not see beyond the persons heart. Let me explain what I mean by this. By choosing to be an example of "Gods love" to those around us we make a concsious effort to put aside our thoughts and judgements of others and look at them with the heart of God. What may have happened in their life that caused them to hurt? Do people hate because they have been hurt? How can we show love to ease the hurt and maybe, just maybe our love will bring hope to an area of their life that they never experienced.
My heart aches for this nation. We do not see past the media that has been thrown in our face. Both sides included. We choose to allow our emotions to run rampant rather than exercise that faith that was given to us to expect great change regardless of the negativity that surrounds us. I am hopeful that the outcome will be so much greater than anticipated. FAITH is a powerful thing! FAITH gives us a reason to rise in the morning and thank God for another day of life. FAITH is what presses us into our purpose and leads us into accomplishing great things. FAITH is what the people of this nation need right now. FAITH is believing in something that you may not be able to see on the surface, but knowing that God has an even greater plan than what you can even fathom.
I want to share with you just a few experiences that happened in my own personal life that have brought me to this point. Over the past week I have been reminded of these life changing moments but they didn't cause me heartache, they brought a feeling of Joy that everything will work out as it should because God is ALWAYS in control.
1. When I was in middle school I remember a particular girl that to this day I think of often. She could not stand me. To this day, I still do not know why. She would kick the back of my chair in class, she would pull my hair, she would hurl threats at me that one day she would beat me up. For what reason? I do not know. When asked why she hated me so much, she would just respond with a curse word or two. I would sit out in the car with my mom every morning while waiting for the bus to school and we would ALWAYS take a moment to pray for this girl. "Lord show her love, please help me to be loving, don't let it get to me, I want to know why she hates me so, please place it in her heart to stop"...the prayers were so repetitive. One day as she pulled my hair and kicked my chair she whispered to me "I'm gonna get you after class". The bell rang and she ran off. I figured it was just another threat and to my surprise, the moment I stepped outside that classroom door she jumped out and slapped me across the face and started running down the hall. I took off after her and when I reached her at the end of the school, Administration was already holding her and approaching me to stop me too. At that moment I remembered the prayers we had prayed for this young lady and the only words I could utter were "I forgive you". Everyone was shocked. The girl was suspended and I returned to class. A few days later when she returned she wanted to be my friend. She never said why but I knew in my heart no one had ever shown her forgiveness and love that way. I never saw her bully another person after that. I took a hit but I still chose to love. Trust me, it wasn't easy. There were days and days of hurt built up but those three little words released everything that day. My heart was so full of peace and so very relieved.
Stay with me here...please:
2. Years ago my mom was shot in a drive-by shooting in our home. Both her and my brother were injured. I am so grateful to God that they are both alive and well but at the time my mother was in ICU fighting for her life. We would not know how long of a process this was going to be or if she would even make it. Months went by with her being cared for and treated in the hospital. I was only 11 and so very angry at God. How could He allow something like this to happen to us? Why would He want to take my mom away from me? I was so hurt. I remember one day while visiting with my mom, she spoke these words to me that I have never let go of. She told me that she had forgiven the people who had done this to her. FORGIVE?!?! How??? Why??? They had caused so much pain to our family! We didn't even know if the gang members responsible had even been caught. We had to move out of our home and live with my sister. I went to bed fearful each night not knowing if these kids knew our new address. Would they find us and shoot at our family again? But something happened the day she spoke those words to me. PEACE...in knowing that if she had forgiven them then I knew she also had FAITH that God would work everything out. It was a long and tiring road to recovery for us all but she is alive today to tell her story.
There is something very special about these two stories that I pray will touch your heart and bring encouragement and peace to your life.
I found out that every time I spoke to my heavenly Father (not sometimes, but every time), He heard my every word, concern, fear, and hurt. He saw my frustration, confusion and every tear I cried. He never failed to respond to my concerns. Even if I couldn't see Him working, I knew He was working. I knew it in my heart. He was up to good and that good was reminding me that He has it all together and I need not try to manipulate things for Him but to just hand it all over to Him. I am not worried about these next four years or the years to follow for that matter because I refuse to allow anyone to instill fear into my life. His word says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
Humility is never thinking that we are better than anyone else. Remain low and God will begin to raise us up for such a time as this. He has a plan, we must trust and walk in love and peace so that He can accomplish what needs to be accomplished. Continue to pray for one another for strength and encouragement and we will see a great day ahead of us.
I love you all and am praying for you everyday. This is an amazing day just for the mere fact that we are alive and well and God is in control. Remain hopeful and faithful and God will move in this nation.
