From personal experience, I've had my fair share of frustrating moments and having every reason under the sun to not (want to) love someone. Whether it was the fact that they just cut me off in peak hour traffic, their insistent whinging or they just hurt me by letting me down (yet again).
The funny part about all this – I've probably done the same exact thing.
I'm currently re-reading a book called A love worth giving by Max Lucado, and have been compelled by the key thought that although our whole lives, church teaches us to be patient, kind, forgiving and love each other – we often miss the first step.
Not truly understanding that long before all these rules; "We love because he first loved us." John 4 verse 19 (NIV)
To truly understand the breadth and depth of this statement Jesus recounts a story to Simon in Luke 7 which explains that there were two people who owed money and if there debt were to be cleared – who would be forgiven more.
This is then compared to a woman with the alabaster jar of perfume to anoint Jesus' feet at a dinner party. "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7 verse 47 (NIV)
So for me, this attitude towards loving people became a revelation – not that I must strive more and do more to love people, but despite my inadequacies and shortfalls, I am forgiven and loved. For no other reason but that Jesus decided to.
In the same way, another story in Matthew 18 verses 26 – 33 addresses the way the kingdom of God is full of forgiveness, grace and mercy; and therefore we ought to love in the way.
Not because the people in my world always deserve it, but purely based on the fact that Jesus did it for me and is simply asking me to do the same.
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney based writer who understands a love worth giving.
Meenal Chandra previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html