Where is the love?

Why is it so hard so appreciate and love someone who is so different from you? Why does it seem that there is some disagreement inside you, and you feel so conflicted when you react to that person? How is it possible that the love you give to your brothers, sisters and friends, is a mental and spritual struggle?

Lord, I admit I am not perfect, do I really have to face this? I don't have to like everybody right? We're just...different. Why do You keep pushing this issue to me?

These are the questions that I've asked for a while while trying to understand someone. Of course, the love I am referring to is not one that is romantic, but the empathetic and unconditional love for God's people; one that is mirrored in Christ.

In my christian walk, I learn and strive towards God's standards and will. But when I meet with situations out of my comfort zone, such as accepting someone i might not be agreeable with, I let my emotions kick in and let judgements and thoughts run through my head.

Yet, the thing about walking the christian life with God is that God will always stop you in your tracks and talk to you. There were times when I knew that He was proding me to do the right thing, but I let my feelings get the better of me. After much prayering, I finally heard what He wanted to tell me all along - "If you love Me, love my people." - period-. I was stunned. It wasn't a suggestion or a nice comment, it was a command. Then I knew He was able to remove the prejudices I had against that person, and I could start afresh. From there God gave me His peace and comfort.

My prayer is that we can learn to truly truly understand and love the people God has placed around us. Be it believers or non-believers, agreeable or disagreeable, let us allow God to work through us and in us so that we may see others the way Jesus sees.

John 15:9-12

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you."