Warriors Arise: November 21, 2023
Matthew 5:43-44a “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies,
Yesterday's blog is messing with me and it isn't because of the typos. Yes, I'm a little bothered about my typos, which I miss all the time. I thought I would get better are proofing my work. Still hoping for that. But more importantly, I am disturbed at thinking how little I "love my neighbors" and if I don't love my neighbors well then it explains why I struggle to love my enemies.
I'm not sure I have any "real" enemies, at the moment, (thank you Jesus). There are times when someone rubs me the wrong way, but I am not sure I have any legitimate enemies. Enemies would people who set themselves completely against me, what I do, my calling or what I stand for. Enemies would be people who are trying to make life completely miserable, slinging words of false accusation, lies, and gossip. Maybe there are people who are saying things behind my back, but, since I do not know then I don't consider them enemies.
I am not sure Jesus' command is to focus on loving our enemies or revealing that we don't know how to love our neighbors. If we know how to love our neighbors then we know how to love our enemies.
Love is not only a gesture or helping when someone is in need. Love tends to be given when it is sacrificial, it costs the giver. The most valuable thing we have is time, not money. Giving someone our time is an enormous dose of love. Love is developing a relationship. It is truly listening to a person and getting to know them. It is not going into the conversation already assuming you know them and what they are going to say. That is arrogance. I have so been that person before! Thankful, God called me on it years ago. Then He gave me children who put their hands on either side of my face and say, "Mommy, I want to talk to your face." They wanted my complete attention. They didn't want me doing dishes or folding laundry while they talked. They wanted my undivided attention. They have taught me a valuable lesson about listening. I must listen with my face not just my ears.
It cost me time to give my face to my children. I couldn't be multi-tasking. I actually had to give my full attention. How many times do we give people our full attention when they are talking? This would be a wonderful beginning to loving our neighbor. We need to really listen to what they are saying and then asking further questions to what they aren't sharing.
Father, I ask that I would pay attention and give people my face when they are talking. I want to listen with my ears, but I need to make sure I am not distracted with what I am doing. I miss what they are saying. When I am trying to do something else, I often do not pay attention to the questions that need to be asked in order to encourage them to rise up out of their pain or celebrate with their successes. I pray I would listen with my face. I pray I would meet their eyes and hear their voice. I pray I would ask questions to love them deeply. I want to love my neighbors better so I can love my enemies in such a way they are touched with Your love in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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