It's often been said that love is blind. Unfortunately in our society that's not always true. The people who seem to get all or most of the love and attention are the "beautiful" people, the pretty, handsome, rich, talented, or Hollywood type people. Those of us with average looks or drive a Yugo don't get a lot of love and/or attention. We learn it from the time we enter school, it's all about the beautiful people. The rest of us, well, we're just background noise.
For God, love isn't necessarily blind, because He sees and knows everything. But God's love is equal, universal, unconditional, non-gaging, eternal. God loves rich and poor alike, talented and non-talented, beautiful and ugly Betty, obedient and non-obedient. Not that God approves or condones everyone's behavior or escapades. God loves Billy Graham, Paris Hilton, Osama bin Laden, and John and Jane Doe all the same. It's hard to understand that kind of love. Not blind, but all-inclusive.
What James call for here is for all His people to demonstrate that kind of love. When people come into our midst, they should experience God's love through us. Wow, that's hard! James is really talking about an authentic love for all people. James is not saying don't have favorites, because we all have our favorite teams, foods, clothes, etc. He's saying we should treat people equally regardless of their status, wealth, talent, looks, influence, education, race or prominence. It truly is an authentic love for people.
God, help me to see people with your eyes, with your heart. Help me love people, all people, with a genuine, authentic love. I don't want to have a blind love that looks past needs, pains, issues, or sins. I want to have a valuing love that helps, ministers, cares, encourages, protects, allows people to sense Your love through me.
No comments:
Post a Comment