John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Do you genuinely empathize for others less fortunate than you? Do you give it a moment's thought or none at all? Do you secretly thank God it isn't you? Do you blame them for their situation? Do you take the stance, "the less I know, the better off I am?" Don't be ashamed for being honest with yourself when answering these questions. I truly believe one of the reasons why the Lord instructed us to love others as ourselves and to pray for our enemies, is because it is one the hardest things to do. It is easy to feel sympathy for a loved one or to lend a hand to a close family member or friend but pray for an enemy? Show kindness to a total stranger? Much more difficult but isn't that the kindness Jesus showed when He walked this earth as a man? He broke bread with the outcasts and chose the unlikeliest of men to be His disciples. The point is we need to stop walking through life with our rose colored glasses on and ignorant mindsets. It is rude, it is obnoxious and it is not of God. We are to represent His light and His goodness and show love, not hate. We judge way too much,especially lately during these economic times. People blasting others for being on government assistant programs and feeling as though those people are lazy and taking advantage while others are left holding the bill. Do you really believe that every single person on unemployment, welfare, disability, food stamp programs etc....are beneath you? Would God view them as such or count us all as His children? The bible said God did not show favoritism Romans 2:11 so why do you believe you are more special in His eyes? I am not trying to come off as I am perfect and how dare you. I am simply trying to provoke a meaningful deep conversation that deserves to be had. So I challenge you to truly examine your heart and see if there is not someone in your life that is hurting or struggling and you have yet to lend a hand or an ear? This time of year appears to be the happiest season of all but for many, it is the loneliness, saddest and most depressing times. After losing my Mom early this summer I am experiencing my first holiday without her. Christmas in New York City was where she and I (and then we eventually allowed my husband to join in on the fun!) celebrated our time together for over 15 years. Radio City, the Rockettes, dinners and Broadway shows, The Nutcracker, Rockefeller Center lighting of the Christmas tree, Saks 5th Avenue light show, Bloomingdale shopping....it is a devastating loss and this time of year is brutal. All I want is for others to be sensitive to it, show empathy to me and be aware. So today, let's seek the Lord to see who else we could bless with His love today and let's get our minds off ourself. It will do us all some good.
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