Reflecting Love
It is so difficult not to do onto others as they do onto you.
It's our primal instinct to reflect the pain that comes at us back on our attackers.
You hurt me; I hurt you.
You say bad stuff about me; I say worse things about you.
The world tells us that power comes to those who carry the bigger stick.
Our instinct is to protect ourselves by destroying anyone that comes against us.
But this is not the way of Jesus.
Jesus was attacked incessantly during His time on Earth. He was betrayed, denied, mocked, beaten, and killed.
He could have easily started a smear campaign against the political and religious leaders and destroyed those who attacked Him.
People would have loved that. They had been waiting for years to get revenge on their oppressors and enemies.
But that is not the way of Jesus.
As much as it would have been justified, Jesus did not reflect back the hate shown to Him.
Jesus reflected God's love and forgiveness to those who didn't deserve it.
The world was and still is confounded by this.
Every day, we see leaders with great power and prominence spew hate, lies, and anger.
What, or should I say, who, are they reflecting?
It sure isn't the unconditional love of God.
It's kind of scary when you think of it like that.
Who’s reflection emulates hate, lies, and destruction?
If we aren’t careful, we can get stirred up and start to allow the image of that nasty devil to show within us.
I mean, come on, that guy totally cut me off in traffic.
And what about my coworker who sneakily took credit for my work?
Don't even get me started on that guy who has been on a mission to destroy my character.
I will never forgive them after what they did to me. They deserve their punishment.
And what about all these bad people out there doing bad things? I want to tell everyone how wrong and evil they are.
We can rationalize reflecting nastiness back, that's for sure.
It seems so weak and counterintuitive to reflect love, kindness, and forgiveness towards your enemies.
But, if we are to be like Christ and follow Him, that is precisely what we must do.
As we go about our day today, let's pretend we have a mirror in our hands.
In every interaction, including the conversations in our heads, let's be a reflection of God's love.
Chances are, if you pause and think before reacting and reflecting, God can give you the grace and strength to respond in the opposite way you may have wanted.
Let's be the opposite of how the world is operating right now.
We may not be able to influence the world's political powers or stop all the madness that surrounds us, but we can control the thoughts we think and the words we speak.
And if our thoughts and words reflect God's love, couldn't that change the world?
What and who do you want to reflect today?
God is with us always and forever.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
Colossians 3: 12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.