When It Doesn't Come Naturally

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44 (New King James Version)

God knows when the ability and willingness to obey His commands need to be developed in us. He knows when He must do a work in us in order for us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who treat us as enemies….cursing, hating, misusing, and abusing us. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even have to be that bad in order for me to see my need of God’s work in me. My flesh is riled when I experience being slighted in the smallest ways. Let someone walk past me as if I were invisible and I am in need of God’s grace and touch. Let someone speak an unkind word to me or about me and what God calls me to do becomes quite difficult. Exclusion of any kind brings my weaknesses and phobias to the surface.

I am so far from living out of today’s verse and God knows that. He also knows what He will use in order to develop in me a walk of loving those who don’t like me or may even hate me. It won’t be developed within the ease of friendships and wonderful moments. It will only come as I am confronted by difficult people and circumstances. My natural tendency is to back away from anyone who makes me feel uncomfortable or unloved. God’s ways are higher than mine. He calls me to action that He promises to bless and use. As I obey, He changes me! The people and circumstances may not change but I will.

As I encounter individuals who make me squirm (or worse) God wants me to take my eyes off them and how their actions or lack of actions are making me feel, and begin to pour my energies into His will for me. They may never change, but I am to pray for them. They may never come to the point of liking me, but I am to bless them. They may never have a nice word to say to me, but I am to do them good. They may become even more difficult to see or be around, but I am to love them. How? By the sheer grace and work of God in me. I cannot muster it up on my own but God is willing to instill it in me. The actions are never empty or in vain when driven by His love and heart.

As God continues to reveal to me areas that need His redemptive touch, He will continue to supply all that I need in order to be all He has purposed me to be. Jesus set the pattern when He walked among us. Now He duplicates His life in me as I allow His Spirit to work in me.

Father, help me not to live out of my own weaknesses and propensities. Infuse me with all that is needed to live out the truths of Your Word. Change me! Amen.

Make Me A Servant - Maranatha Singers
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0rznoe3zKxM&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16