Wednesday, June 1, 2011
John 13:1 "Love To The End" (June 2)
John 13:1 "He loved them to the end." This day, I have struggled to love--- much less to the end. I have felt so dismissed---cause I was, I am. But never by the One Who has washed my feet. And I ought to go and wash the feet of those who make me feel so small ~ John 13:14. Or do I only want to wash feet if its comfortable and people I like? What must Jesus have felt to wash the feet of the disciple he handpicked who would betray the friendship? He loved him to the literal end.
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Whoa! It's been like one of the worse days for me. I feel invisibly small, unnoticed, uncared for, unloved and any "un's" you can think of. Some days it seems like it is all about what I have done wrong. So will I live for God's glory this day? Yes, I will. Will I love to the end? Oh dear God, teach us to love better, love well. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteI just took a shower and the entire time I was in there I tried thinking of positive "un" words. The best one I could come up with (before coffee) was that what HE did for us can never be UNdone.
ReplyDeleteHoping you feel loved today, Bev and the rest of you beautiful women.
xoxoxoxo
John 13:3-6 "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
ReplyDeleteI was impressed by the passage above, especially the fact Jesus knew his mission, knew where He came from and where He was going. I need to keep that in mind when life gets uncomfortable.
1. He has a plan.
2. He knows my name.
3. We are in the world, not of the
world.
4. We know where we are going.
Serving and loving those who have done us "wrong" or "harm" is one of the hardest things that we have to do in this life on earth. Jesus shows how to act and react. In our flesh it is so hard to serve those people who are not loving toward us and sometimes to even show them the love of Christ that is in us. Yes, we need Him to show us daily how to love better and live well. I have failed in the past, may I not fail as badly in the future.
ReplyDeleteYou are not unloved here, Bev, you are much loved.
"Jesus knew..."
ReplyDelete"Jesus knowing..."
"For He knew..."
Those little words touch me today. They inspire me to love unconditionally by the indwelling Spirit of God in me. With God, it is possible to love to a greater level than is humanly possible.
In my human weakness, to love those who have hurt me requires that I look beyond the human who has hurt me...and see the work of the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy.
He alone is behind the fall of man and sin entering this world. As disciples of Christ, I am called to work reconciliation with those who are held captive by the enemy.
It is easier to do that when we don't still feel the prick of the betrayer's knife in our back! Even more important, we CANNOT do it without the LORD working this in us through His Spirit in us.
HE loves the unlovely through us.
HE forgives the ones we can't, if we allow Him the freedom to work this great love in us through His Spirit.
To me, saving someone from hell because I am willing to forgive an offense and show them love they do not deserve...that is a calling few will respond to today.
But I've never seen a greater need than what I see in this dark world today.
The Love of Christ mends.
The Love of Christ heals.
The Love of Christ is deep.
The Love of Christ is sacrificial.
The Love of Christ reaches out to sinners...while there is still time to save even one from the fire...snatching them from the grip of the enemy.
Today is the only promise we have to reach out in love. Tomorrow is not promised.
Yes, we are unloved here and unnoticed and uncared for. But if we will allow Him to give us eyes to see as He sees, to love as He loves...we will be undone by the great love HE has towards the lost and those held captive by sin.
UNLEASH them and set them FREE, Lord. Use us to free your children.
Bev, sometimes those we love can be the hardest on us. Just want you to know you do love well, and are very loved here and by the One Who Sees and doesn't take lightly the dismissal of His children. Praying for you this weekend to be able to celebrate and enjoy, and not let anyone steal that beautiful joy in your heart.
ReplyDeleteAngie, Love that "un"! What a comfort to know His love for us is never undone.
ReplyDeleteJan, isn't that the most beautiful picture of a servant heart we see in Jesus today! Love what you gleaned from this.
ReplyDeleteMary Lou, you're always such an encourager to me. And today, my reminder to serve without expectation.
Deborah, loving well is such a God-thing. And you exude love even in persecution. It is of the enemy and if we can keep someone from hell by loving them, that's enough reason, isn't it!
You all touch my heart each day here. Thank you for sharing your hearts.
Reading back over comments I have missed while I was gone.
ReplyDeleteAngie -
That "undone" is straight from the Holy Spirit, Ang! Thank you.
Jan -
Tender words to me.
Mary Lou -
Your recognition is powerful. Jesus is coming in power.
Annette -
I'm saving your words in
my journal:
Jesus knew..."
"Jesus knowing..."
"For He knew..."
Means a lot!
Deborah -
Oh! When you said this:
To me, saving someone from hell because I am willing to forgive an offense and show them love they do not deserve...that is a calling few will respond to today...
I will carry this with me!
So profound.