Are there people who are unlovable? Around the holidays, it always seems like there is the running joke about the crazy uncle or awkward cousin that you have to see.
As I’ve walked through this holiday season, the Lord has been challenging me that no one is unlovable. So how do I love these people well? There are three things that I’m processing through with the Lord.
1. They are lovable because of who Christ is. It doesn’t matter how frustrating they are. They are lovable because Christ loves them. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.” John 3:16. He loves the world. He loves them. He loves me. I can love them.
2. Loving them well, can look like putting their needs above my own. This doesn’t mean that I cater to every desire, but that I listen to the Spirit and do what is best and most needed for that individual above my own desires. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.
3. What am I losing by not loving them? At the root of a lot of this struggle, for me, is anger or hurt. Paul says in Ephesians 4:26b-27, “do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” I can become consumed with my hurt and anger and miss out on the beauty of how God is working, because I can’t let go of the anger and hurt. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24a.
Loving people isn’t easy. But I do know that I’m called to love people and love them well, especially the broken people who Christ has put into my life. They are no more broken then I am. If Christ can love me, then I can love those people in my life. Now it’s time to put the rubber to the road and put hands and feet to this kind of love. Lord, help me to love my people the way you love them.
Adventures of a Single Pretzel 