Scripture

Ephesians 5:1-5

One morning I decided to intercede for those people who send prayer requests to me. There are 52. I was deeply moved by all the hurt and need out there. Now I know why the intercessors say they sometimes start crying while putting people and their suffering before the Lord.

From the prayer requests I can see that relationships are often a problem. In some marriages one party may not have been speaking to the other one for two years. There are families in which the children try to change the will. Some employees wait for months to be paid. All over there are people who simply push others into the mud, walk all over them, and walk on.

You know, it’s really not nice to see the mess God’s children are making.

But before we accuse others too quickly, we must just make certain our way of life is the right way. Does your way of life build others up, or break them down? Most of us would say it builds them up, because that is in our nature not to want to break down.

But we must be very certain that our conduct will in all circumstances still build up; when our blood is boiling; when we are dealt with unfairly as well, and also, when the other person is indeed wrong. To do this we need one very simple rule: 1Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love.

God is our example of how to live right. God is driven by one thing and one thing only: Love. When God looks at us, He puts on glasses of love and these glasses work like sunglasses. Sunglasses only let through specific rays. Those rays that are too strong for the eyes are blocked. The image is, therefore, much softer on the eyes. Jesus’ glasses of love take human sin out of the equation and then God can do nothing but keep on loving people. And his conduct is proof of that.

We don’t always get it right. We usually look through the glasses of history or experience. Even before my friend or spouse or child open their mouths, I already know what they’re going to say – or that’s what I think. The problem is that I don’t listen to what they’re saying and already think about how I’m going to react. It doesn’t actually matter what they say or do, my mind’s made up.

This is no evidence of love. Love gives others another chance. Love overlooks mistakes. Love wants what is best for others. Love takes the ego out of the picture and only sees the other one. Love feels for others. Love makes you cry for the other one’s mistakes. Love does not point fingers. Rather, love hugs. Love comforts. Love laughs. Love gives space. Love nurtures. Love saves. Love gives. Love is unselfish. Love is beautiful. Love generates positive energy. Love lives. Love is extravagant. Love does not have a stop button. Love is…

Beautiful, isn’t it?

But through the beauty of it I can see it’s not that simple. It doesn’t happen by itself. It takes concentration. It takes biting your tongue until you bleed. Sometimes you simply don’t want to. But it is the answer to the world’s problems. God’s answer to every prayer request in which He is the example for us: 1Watch what God does … Mostly what God does is love you.

Reflection

Love is…?

Love is…?

Love is…?

Prayer

Lord, teach me about love. Teach me to look at the people around me through your glasses of love. Teach me to stand back and simply love. Amen