God is Love!

How do we define love?  1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love, and in verse 11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”  In chapter 3 of 1 John is also talks about how this is what we have been commanded to do, to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another.  It sounds pretty simple, but not so easy to pull off sometimes.  When we think a situation is wrong or if we think that we ourselves have been wronged, it is hard to just love and let God sort things out.  But I am beginning to see more and more in my life how it is so important to just love people and situations in order to have peace in my heart.  It is a matter of giving to God and trusting him to work things out the best way.  This frees me to “sow to the Spirit” so that I can “reap life everlasting.” [Galatians 6:8]

Two situations have brought this to my attention this week, and have caused me to deal with emotions that are very strong.  First was a situation with someone close to me that both surprised me and seemed like the final straw when it comes to how I felt like I have always been treated by this person. The second situation is something that all the country is talking about in light of the U. S. Supreme Court decisions to allow, what some call marriage equality, in every state regardless of what the state law is. This is an issue that I have thought about for many years because of certain personal connections I have.  As a result of the decision made, I believe that I have come to a decision myself about where I stand.

The first situation was one of those things where I feel like this person does not have mine or my families best interest at heart.  Even though they might say they do, the way it came about hit me all wrong.  This person has a vested interest in my family, or I thought they did, but as a result of their comments, I just felt that they were attacking us rather than showing the sort of love and support I thought they should to someone that they hold dear.  I was angry, and anyone that knows me knows that I don’t get angry very often.  I have always been taught that anger is a bad emotions that never brings good (although this is not really fair; there are injustices in this world that are totally worth getting angry about).  It took me two days to really calm down enough to think about what was done.  This is when I found the above scriptures.  I wanted to argue, but I was reminded that I don’t want to give into my flesh (emotions) and be angry enough to not ever talk to this person again.  No, I want to give to my spirit (God’s perfect nature) and love that person no matter what; so that I can live with myself everyday in harmony.

The second situation is the issue of gay marriage.  The whole idea of homosexuality has been a hard one for me for more than 30 years.  I was brought up to believe that it is wrong. I grew up in school talking about it as if it was a disgusting joke, that people who took part in that should be shunned and ridiculed for acting that way.  Then one day someone very close to me came out to me as being homosexual.  I was very upset for days because I didn’t know how to deal with my conflicting emotions.  Part of me loved her as my very best friend, but part of me did not know what to do with what I had always been taught.  I will never forget the conversation that me and her had.  I told her that I still loved her like a sister, and that would never change. But I could not agree with what her lifestyle was.  She answered me very profoundly by stating, “I am not asking your approval, I just want you to love me as a person.”  With that, I have been on a messy journey trying to stay true to what I thought I believed is right, and what this wonderful person means to me.  This week I believe that my thought have come full circle, and I am glad for it.  Because this court decision will cause people everywhere to think, debate, and rethink what is right, and that is really the best place to start.

My opinion on homosexuality has changed from my growing up.  I have met many different people that are homosexual, and feel like that I have tried to listen and consider all the lessons they have taught me.  I have seen relationships that are strong and committed.  I have also seen those that are one sided and destructive.  But mostly I have seen them as people trying to love another human being, and to find that love being given back.  I cannot see anything wrong in that. The law can’t really change how people feel about each other.  It can make it more difficult, or more easier to legally take care of and stand by that person, but it won’t diminish the commitment of love that they have for one another.  For a long time I have believed that the homosexual community should be given the legal rights to provide for each other, but I don’t think I have been as public as I should have been.  Maybe it has been the fear of being judged myself by others, although I have taken heat sometimes over the friends I have chosen in spite of opinions.  It is time to not let any of that matter.  I love my friend, and I am going to stick by her right and all homosexuals to marry whom they choose.  And no, she doesn’t need my permission, but I am glad that she still sees fit to call me friend.

At any rate, maybe this week has been less about feeling angry and more about loving everyone.  I have an obligation to reach out in love rather than withdraw in anger.  Jesus told the disciples that they should love one another as I (Jesus) have loved you.  So if we believe that Jesus really did die in the place of all mankind, then we have to believe that he didn’t leave anyone out.  We need to just love and share the “good news.”  I am going to.  Let people keep debating, let them question what they believe.  It’s okay...really it is.