So.Yea.Struggle and astrife as Julie would say.
Have you ever disliked someone for NO apparent fault of their own?
I have.
I don't want to like you because of your affiliation with another in my life. I don't want anything to do with either of you. Yea. It feels good to say that out loud...or...to type that. I said it out loud yesterday...
Now I am hiding in shame because Jesus' words reverberate in my mind and inch their way to my heart... "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."
UGH! I can't not like you. I can't read those words and remember them and just walk by you now. I must love you.
It's all good you say...just be nice...or, don't worry about it. Christ calls me to something different....He says...remember that cross? That cross upon which I died? For you? Remember why I died for you Crissy? Because you are unworthy, blanketed in sin-depraved-nastiness....Because Crissy, YOU can't hack it on your own...you NEED Me.
Look at the cross Crissy,...I DIED for your hatred. I died for your gluttony. I died for your selfishness for your unfaithfulness for your stinginess for your lack of giving for your lack of love for your meanness for your pride for your lust...FOR YOU.
My blood covers it all....Can I look to the cross with my sin in mind and remain at the foot of the cross with a guilty conscience.?
Nope.
I need Your grace Lord Jesus. Forgive me. Lead me to the cross and forgive me for my wrong....
Crissy
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1Peter 4:8
