Healing

Love Begins With A Moment Part 2

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
09/17/14
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There are indeed different ways to learn as I was discussing with a relative recently. We can learn by being taught by our leaders or we can learn in reverse (turning the negatives on their heads and doing the opposite to get a positive result). We can be taught by our parents or we can take our teaching from our peers or other leaders in our lives. Whoever does the teaching will either deposit good or bad attributes that we will learn and pass on to others.

Sometimes we hold on to bad habits because we were taught them and we see them as the ‘norm’. Later in life we then have to make a choice to remove those bad habits from our lives and replace them with good habits as we’ve discussed in challenges 25-27. Unfortunately some will continue to walk on the wrong path choosing to stick with the bad choices they have come to love, feeling comfortable with what has been the ‘norm’ for most of their lives and not seeing a need to change. They then pass those habits onto the next generation and the cycle continues.

Yes, we live in a broken world and it will not be made whole until Christ returns. Until then we must coexist with each other here on planet earth. God is love and we cannot begin to understand love in our mortal bodies and with our mortal minds, therefore with our limited understanding of love we will continue to get it wrong and that is why He made provision for us through Christ who died to pay the debt for us. Unless we see through the eyes of Christ we will not get a glimpse of what love truly looks like.

Here are a few unique moments we can overlook at times and not see the love that began in those precious moments in order to be thankful:

Love…it begins with that moment when a shepherd answers the call to care for the flock (the ones placed in his direct care or those stray sheep whom he/she comes in contact with).

Love…it begins with that moment when a youth leading team sees the need within their community and answers the call to care for those little lambs.

Love…it begins with that moment when a teacher answers the call to educate others without prejudice of any kind.

Love…it begins with that moment of a selfless act of kindness (when a kind deed is done with the right motive--not expecting anything in return).

Love…it begins with that moment of patience.

Love…it begins with that moment of humility.

Love…it begins with that moment of rejoicing in the truth.

Do not be deceived. There are many who would have you believe that love is all about you being happy all the time. That’s a lie from the father of lies. Many would have you believe that only your happiness truly matters, that too is a lie--it only promotes a selfish way of living. That way of life says, “I’m the only one who matters, I don’t care about anyone or anything else. I’ll live my life the way I please.”  That is not true love.

Here is a picture of true love (Agape love) looks like this:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs*. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

I chose to pursue a relationship with my mother because I love her. Yes, she made some serious mistakes in the past which affected the way I was developed emotionally and psychologically. Unfortunately it would appear that she hasn’t learned from those mistakes as yet, and that makes it difficult to progress in establishing a meaningful relationship with her. However, love teaches me not to judge and that I should owe no one anything but love: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Romans 12:8).

Therefore, I will continue to exercise patience, kindness and self-control towards her, refraining from being disrespectful just as I expect to be treated by others. In doing my part I know that God will bring it all together in His perfect timing.

Here are a few other verses from Romans chapter 12, to meditate on as you focus your thoughts on doing God’s will in loving others as yourself:

9) “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.”

12-13) “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.”

14) “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

15) “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

16) “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

17-18) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

19-21) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coal on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Love begins the moment we recognise and acknowledge that God is love.

“…God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement: in this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”

(1 John 4:16-18).

Growth takes place on that journey of discovering the attributes of God starting with that moment when we begin to worship God, the Author of Love. That’s a choice we have to make and many will choose not to make that choice but only then can love grow richer and brighter each day and become a lifetime of joy.

Whose side are you on?

Will you continue on the path of hatred or will you choose to love?

The choice is yours! I choose to love.

My heart’s desire is that you will join me today in being an instrument of love?

Choose to let the hatred go and show love today--allow your heart to love again.

“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you”

 (John 15:12).

May God bless you and keep you in perfect peace as you continue on your journey of discovery.

Have a blessed day!

Your sister in Christ

Janice S Ramkissoon

17^th September 2014.