That Lovin' Feeling

By Donna J. Shepherd

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

Have you ever muttered, “I may have to love her, but I don’t have to like her”?
 

When we say we don’t ‘like’ someone, we feel justified in our emotion.  If it were up to us, we would cross people off our list all the time.  In his Peanuts cartoon strip, Charles Schulz had Linus say, “I love mankind. It's people I can't stand.”

So, do we have to ‘like’ everyone?  Sometimes we’re like porcupines in a sack, rubbing each other the wrong way.  Jesus told the disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV) We love as if the other person is Christ.  We love God.  God is love.  We love others.

We don’t have to like everything about a person’s personality, but we do have to love the person.  As Christians, loving others is not an option.  The love of Christ is a component of our new nature.

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”  Romans 8:5 (NIV)

What does God desire for His people?  The Pharisees asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest.  Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)

Love God.  Love people.  Love them as you love yourself.  Do you love yourself?  When you realize the value you have as a child of God, and how precious you are that God would send Christ as the sacrifice for your sin, then you have only an inkling of your worth.  You can love others resting in the security of your own value as a child of God. Whether others love you back does not diminish your love for them. 

C.W. Vanderbergh once wrote:

To love the whole world for me is no chore.

My only real problem is my neighbor next door.

Haven’t we all felt like that?  What’s the solution?  One sure way is to see the value God placed on others, even when it is not clear they deserve it.  After all, the same sacrifice made for you was made for them as well.  Jesus submitted by coming to earth, by laying down His life for us, by choosing to love us, no matter how unlovable we are. I know. I know.  It may be difficult when Sister Porcupine or Brother Cactus is around, but the Love of God is a witness of the Church.  Let’s love one another with the same measure God loves us. Let’s choose to love.

I echo Paul's prayer for the Corinthians, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for Your love.  Help me to love others with the love of Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Children’s author and inspirational writer, Donna J. Shepherd, looks at everyday life and finds God's fingerprints everywhere. From bird watching to the Beatitudes, Donna's writing touches the heart with wisdom and humor. Her children’s poetry has been published in Guideposts for Kids, Wee Ones, Whimsy, and Saplings Magazine. She is a columnist for The Dabbling Mum, NABBW, and Inspiration Station.

Donna is the author of a children’s picture book, Topsy Turvy Land (Hidden Pictures Publishing, July 2005). Her writing is included in Daily Grace for Women, Devotional Reflections to Nourish Your Soul, Honor Books, April 2005. Her first foray into the world of electronic publishing came with the release of an eBook for children called The Lonely Lightning Bug (Guardian Angel Publishing, October 2005). Visit Donna on the web at http://www.donnashepherd.com or http://www.topsyturvyland.com

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