Lent - unconditional love

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
~ Luke 6:27, 28, 36

When we love our enemies we begin to exhibit the characteristics of God's perfect love for each of us.  Sometimes that is a real struggle, but I have to look at it like this.  God is the parent that wants all the children to get along.  

Years ago my dad overheard me praying to God that something would happen to someone for them to realize what the person had done to me in my life.  He was shocked by the prayer and reminded me that I should never wish anything but God's blessings upon people.  Even when they have harmed or hurt us.  I laughed and prayed that God would "drop a blessing on them," knowing that God knows the intentions of my heart.

For some, including myself at times, I need to have a daily reminder that we are to forgive one another instead of being angry.  We are invited to bless one another, instead of curse one another.  We are asked to wrap the wounds of others, instead of rubbing salt into them, while encouraging, instead of sowing despair.  Instead of demeaning one another, we are invited to hug, thank instead of being critical.  

All of these things are characteristics of God's unconditional love for us.  When we make these things part of our daily practice, we help to make God's unconditional love visible to the world.

Again, I am reminded that the world is what it is because of what we invite into it.  If we want God's unconditional love to exist in the world, then it must begin with us.

Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2020