Ever Growing

 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”    Luke 6:32-36

What inspires people?  For me, seeing God showing up with members of my church family and reading stories of how God has legitimately changed lives inspires me.  It makes me aware that God is working in the hearts and minds of many, and reassures me that God is instilled deep in my own heart.  When others do wrong and my frustrations with the world seem too much to bear, I think of God’s love for me, and then it just seems everything is alright.

The love of Christ begins within one’s heart.  My pastor spoke about how true change with Jesus starts within the heart.  My testimony to that is the greater God is relevant in my life, the bigger my heart for others grows.  Our riches do not matter.  Our stuff we get while it may bring temporary satisfaction does not ultimately bring us joy.  But when the love of Christ gets in you, people look different.  The man who is dishonest becomes the man you want to help find truth.  The woman who constantly does the wrong thing becomes the person you see one day turning it all around.  The situation that seems hopeless suddenly has a new perspective that maybe, we can try it again.  These are the thoughts and hearts of a person who is changed by Jesus Christ.

God’s love goes beyond just lip service.  It is truly a transformative experience, and it is to be not only embraced but also shared.  If our heart has changed, all people, both believers and nonbelievers, are worthy of the same love, kindness, patience, and forgiveness, for as Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  Is your heart for God growing?  Is your love for others as unconditional as God’s love for you?  My prayer is that we aspire to align our minds and hearts toward an ever growing love for God.  Amen.