About 2 years ago I expressed a DEEP frustration with friend of mine..a struggle to love people more.
I still struggle with this. Sometimes I feel like Jeckel and Hyde! One minute I am a true lover of people. Other times, well, it's pretty embarrassing what thoughts go through my head and what words / looks come from me.
My friend shared with me...
“in order to love people more, you must get in touch with just how much God loves you, and when you get it, it will blow your mind and fill your heart to the overflowing, and it will pour out of you naturally, with no effort whatsoever.”
At the time it made alot of sense. But this morning I read something else that brought my understanding of what he said to another penetrating level.
“The more I become aware of the inconceivable glory of being forgiven, the more I will hunger to offer others a taste of the same banquet. The more I see the pettiness and darkness of my heart, the more aware I am of God’s everlasting pursuit of my soul. It is then I hear God’s voice, which invites me never to forsake any relationship any more than he has forsaken me.”
Allender / Longman “Bold Purpose”
In the context of my friends first words to me, I never thought of receiving God’s love as the forgiveness he perfectly offers me. Further, I didn’t make the connection that what’s preventing me from recognizing God’s love and forgiveness is my pride of “not needing it”.
Humble me Lord...
I know this sounds so simple, but this is a pretty big revelation for me this morning.
H
