It seemed like everyone wanted the blogs to continue, but no one is writing so I will try to break the ice and get it started again....maybe
In Peru I struggled with loving an older lady who I saw as abusing the gringos for their goodies. I was asked to pray for her, but it was incredible hard for me because I didn't really want to ask God to help her because I felt no sympathy for her. I prayed a prayer and politely walked away. Since that prayer I have thought A LOT about that little old lady and the unloving prayer I prayed. I wanted so badly to do the right thing and really ask God for his healing, but honestly I couldn't get the right "feeling". I came to love, but loving the "unlovable" is one of the hardest things for me to do.
So today's devotional was "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 This morning God told me that I needed to love those in America, and more specifically in my church, work, and community, that I may see as unlovable. God used the little old lady in Peru to show me that I should love those who seem unworthy of compassion. To reach out and befriend those that I would find unlikely friends. If God can show me mercy and grace like he has each and everyday and if I am suppose to die to self and live as Christ everyday then I should attempt to show grace to those that I don't see as easy to love.
I can not go back and undo what I did in Peru. That moment has passed and I will always remember what happened but I can change my future. I can prepare myself for the "unlovables" that God will set in my path. It will come with prayer. Please pray that I am prepared for the next request from someone that I can't see Jesus in. Just because I can't see him doesn't mean he isn't there.
Thank you God for speaking to me today. Protect our church. Lord, help us to keep our eyes on you. Remind us to love on another and find you in the beauty of each other. Amen
5 comments:
Oh Julie, your words you have written I feel was meant for me.
I myself have been having the problem with loving the "unlovable"
Those words you wrote... To reach out and befriend those that I feel unlikely friends.
I am struggling with this... I feel as I may be bitter, and I don't want to be bitter.
(John 13:35)
"you will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another"
God used a little lady in Peru to show you that you should LOVE...
Well God used a sweet lady in NC to show me that I need to love the ones I feel are unloveable.
LORD... I pray and THANK YOU for Julie and her beautiful words that you have given to her. Thank you for giving her the want to... break the ice and start the blog again. Jesus I pray that I become more and more like you. Help me not to be bitter and help me to love the unloveables.
John 13:7 "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
Jesus has all the plans.. we may not know them and may not understand them, but one thing I know is that HIS plans are perfect.
Jesus puts things in our paths to make us stronger....I think...I know.
Awesome message, Juice. I'll have to say that I, too, wanted the blogs to continue, and when they didn't I kind of gave up as well.
I am proud of you for "breaking the ice". And this, in itself, has taught me a lesson.
If I feel strongly about doing something, why do I continually wait on someone else to do it first? Why am I afraid to be a warrior and step out first? Maybe the strong desire within me is the voice of the Lord.
Lord, I pray that I will listen to your voice and not wait around on others to do your work. Give me the courage and strength to do what it is you want me to do. Help me to discern what it is that you want me to do.
Loving the unlovable is something I think we all struggle with. I battle with this all the time. I have created this defense mechanism in my life. I wear my heart on my sleeve and when I feel hurt I begin to put a wall up around my heart. I block people out. I "wash my hands" of them. But Jesus doesn't build walls. He doesn't brush us off. No matter how we hurt Him. I think of all the times I hurt him.. Disappoint him. Yet he wraps me in his all powerful arms and tells me he loves me anyway. That is how people should see me.
Keep on blogging....
Thanks Julie,
Beautiful...
Julie...
That is awesome!!!...I am struggling with the same thing...It is amazing how a lot of us struggle with the same thing and God places those people in our lives!!..Thank you for sharing and we can pray for one another!!
Love ya and I am so thankful you are my sister in Christ!!
Jennifer
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