Love means to have affectionate concern for the well-being of others:
the love of one's neighbor. It also means a feeling of warm personal attachment
or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. Love and loving people is
something that I am extremely passionate about.
In our society, love has become an emotion that we turn on and
off based on what is convenient and feels good in the moment. It has become a
word that we toss around without really thinking of the implications and
commitment that should go with that word.
I am seeing more and more people being loved when it is fun,
easy, and convenient; when everything is great in their lives and the blessings
are flowing. Basically we like to love and support people when there is no work
involved. However, when things get messy we want to turn our backs and walk
away rather than get a little dirty helping someone through the mess.
Here's the deal: Life is messy and life is complicated. Things are not always black and
white...even though we wish they were. We never really know the depth of what
is going on in someone's life and we don't need to know. Their life is not for
us to judge. It's not our business nor is it our place.
Our job is to love people right where they are, in the middle of
the mess, in the complicated times, in the times when it isn't easy or fun. That
is when people need us the most. That is when people need to be loved and
supported. We need to stop walking out on people when they do something we
don't agree with or commit a sin. Everybody sins. None of us are perfect.
I want to challenge you to live each day simply loving people
right where they are; in the middle of the messy and complicated; to not be the
person who walks out during tough times. Try being the person who walks in
during tough times and simply loves!! Love heals, covers, appreciates, is
sometimes inconvenient, and often difficult. However, I believe loving is one
of the most important thing we can do.
Dallas
