The Secret to Loving Well

Inspire

My friend Becky died four years ago. One of the attributes I admired about Becky was her love for God and people. Last month, I reflected on the ways she influenced my life. I am grateful for her example. Looking back, I see how God ordained our paths to cross so I could learn how to love others well from her.

What was Becky’s secret to loving well?

Becky’s secret was security in her identity in Christ. She was secure in God’s love and acceptance of her. Becky’s love for God and people was contagious. For many years, she organized teams to go on mission trips to Ethiopia to spread the gospel. During this time, she faced a life-threatening illness but she did not allow her diagnosis to stop her from serving the Lord. If she could no longer travel, she was content to facilitate so others could go. She served faithfully even up to a few months before her death.

She radiated such love and joy that made others want what she had. She made time to connect with others. I remember meeting her a few times after her doctor’s appointment at the hospital. I can still see her soft blue eyes beaming, as she listened to what I planned to share with the women during our next mission trip to Ethiopia. She listened, asked a few questions and quietly encouraged me. She was a godly and wise mentor. In her counsel, she always pointed me to God. Becky cared deeply for God and His Kingdom. My friend Becky had a can filled with the oil of God’s love that she carried around and offered to those who were discouraged. She loved others well. You can read more about Becky here.

Restore

Do you desire to love others well?

We too can love others well. When my view of God is aligned with His view of me, I will have a correct view of myself and be able to love others well. Acceptance of our identity in Christ is fundamental to loving others well. If we are secure in God’s love for us, we will love others, accept them and not let their words or actions define who we are. It frees us to give them understanding, compassion, and grace.

We all have our likes and dislikes. Because we have different personalities and temperaments, it is easy to view others as difficult to love. In reality, you and I are someone’s difficult person too.

The holidays are upon us and many of us will gather with family. Tensions and frustrations are likely to happen.  Let us remember to give each other grace.  People sometimes act out of their own pain. We can choose not to take their actions personally. We are all works in progress.

It is important for me to see myself as God sees me because it brings freedom.

Seeing myself as God sees me frees me to love others well.

Seeing myself as God sees me frees me embrace His vision and accept his purpose for my life.

Seeing myself as God sees me frees me to walk in love.

Hope

Write the truth about who you are in Christ in your heart. This requires intentionality as it will not happen by accident. It will happen as you meditate on God’s word and you let it saturate your mind.

Our view of God and ourselves is related to how we love others. This is post number three of three in the series. Read the first post here and second post here.

Scriptures: 1 John 4:7-12, John 13:34-35, Colossians 3:14, 1 Corinthians 16:14,  James 2:8, Ephesians 3:17-19