Convicted

Last night at Bible study, I was totally convicted about "loving your enemies." I don't feel I really have enemies, so I usually think, "yeah, yeah, I know." But there is a certain someone that I don't really care for who's dating one of my family members . Ok, I really dislike this person. Mostly because of the way this person treats my family member and other family members and the lack of moral value I see in this person's life. It hurts to see my family member in a relationship with someone who doesn't value a relationship with God. I always say, "you can fall in love with a non-Christian just as soon as you can fall in love with a Christian;" we have to be smart about these things! So, it hit me last night as we were studying about Christ's words to "love your enemies" that I need to love this person. And, it needs to be sincere love, not just the fakey nice kind I've been doing so far. This is really hard! I am definitely going to have to "live beyond myself" with this one (as Beth Moore would say). It is much easier just to complain about this person's behavior and put up a good front when I have to be around this person. But, God has called me to LOVE everyone, even those who say nasty things to me, about me, in front of me, etc. Even those who hurt my family members. Even those I would rather not have to spend any amount of time with WHATSOEVER. How they act is not my concern; how I act is completely my concern. I have been called to a life of love, forgiveness, humility, self-control, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness...and so many other things that are "beyond" me. This is not easy. No one ever said it would be.

Praying for a mighty work of the Spirit on this one.