Love One Another

God gave us a commandment to love one another. He didn't ask us to try or say it was a really good idea. He commanded us to. Sometimes it is easy. We love our family, our friends, our dog. Other times it's not so easy. God didn't tell us to love the easy ones or the ones that don't bug us or the ones that are pretty or popular. God told us to love everyone as He had loved us. He doesn't ask us to love our friends when everyone else is loving them but to love them always, even when it may not be the popular choice. We are to love even when we feel wronged or tired or someone just rubs us the wrong way.

In Matthew 22:39 after He tells us to love God, Jesus tells us to 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' In 1 John 4:7 He tells us again. And in Galatians 5:13 and in Romans 13:8 and over and over again throughout the Bible. This love thing is important to God. Some would argue it was the most important thing to God.

When I say love what do you think of? What does love look like to you? Those are such great answers. God doesn't want us to love everyone like Prince and Princess fairytales, Shrek and Fiona or husband and wife kind of love. He wants us to be respectful and kind and patient and accepting. He means to include the kid on the playground that no one ever asks to play. He means to take time to read to a younger sibling a book even though there are cooler things to do. He means to help our friends and neighbors. Maybe it looks like raking our neighbors leaves or hugging our friend that is sad. God gave us the most amazing example of what love looks like in His son Jesus. And the more we learn about Him, the more we'll learn how to love one another.

Most Loving God, we thank you for sending your son Jesus that we would have such a perfect example of love. Help us to be loving. Help us to treat others like you would treat them. When we are tired or not feeling well, Lord, we ask that we love them with your strength and not depend on our own. We know that people will notice the way we love others and want to know more about you. We love you so much, God and we thank you for all you do for us. Amen.