Advent 2020: Week 4-Choose Love
Christmas Day signals the end of Advent season in a culmination of love. When God revealed how much He really loved us all by sending His only Son to a virgin mother and her betrothed. It was, and is, and always will be, the greatest Gift ever given.
The ways in which we experience love are as vast as the differences in light and dark, hot and cold… familial love, romantic love, friendship… Sometimes love leaves us feeling fulfilled and joyful; sometimes it leaves us feeling empty and forlorn.
How can a single word conjure up such different emotions?
We each have a unique perspective and a best way to feel loved, and we are selfish in our ways. We expect others to perceive love, feel love, and give love the way we feel love, but this isn’t always the case.
Just over a week ago, I tested positive for Covid-19, the current worldwide pandemic. Now, let’s be clear. I did not want to give any space on this blog for this “unprecedented” moment in history. Not because I don’t believe it has had an impact on our world and our perspectives but because I attribute the current crumbling of society on the overarching impact of a loss of normalcy.
For several months, I have avoided making any reference to the pandemic, ON PURPOSE. But, now, I have no choice but to give you a glimpse into the last week of my life.
As I said, just over a week ago, I tested positive. I have done all the things recommended to avoid getting sick, and, yet, here I sit. I am just a couple of days from rejoining my family after a ten-day isolation.
I have forced myself to be observant, to rest, and to be a good patient for my husband, my caregiver.
Here is what I’ve discovered:
People are busy. Seemingly too busy to care. Except that in a moment of trial, they step up and step out. They say something when, before, they may not have felt it necessary. They do something when, before, it may have been overlooked. They make their presence in your life known.
But why does it take a trial to bring about these small shifts in behavior?
I believe we are afraid. We are afraid to love the way that Jesus commanded us to “love one another” (John 13:34 NIV) because it leaves us vulnerable. There are too many things out there and too many ways to be hurt for us to want to leave ourselves exposed.
I want to change that about myself. I want to change that about our world. To effect a change, it has to start somewhere. So, I’m starting with me.
I can do something to help someone without expecting anything in return.
I can show someone that I care even if it means being taken advantage of.
I can “love my neighbor as myself” (Matthew 22:39 NIV) because Jesus came to show us how.
When you begin to doubt the love of your people, I want to ask you to stop. Take a step back. Examine how you’ve been loving them. And then, I want you to try being vulnerable. Don’t do what’s expected. Do what you’d want them to do for you. Love them. Right where they are. No expectations. No judgment. Just LOVE. Choose to love.
Your family of origin disappoints you? Choose love.
Your spouse upsets you? Choose love.
Your children act irresponsibly? Choose love.
Your friend hurts you? Choose love.
Your neighbor offends you? Choose love.
The more you choose love, the easier it is to choose love. The more you share love, the more you receive love.
You may not experience love from the people in your life the way you want to, but you will experience the love of Father God because He will reward you:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38 NIV).
This passage does not say “love” anywhere, but try it. I think you just might be surprised at the love you will feel when you simply choose to give love.