How DID Jesus Do It???

“Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

I recently dealt with someone who was just “plain mean” – I mean, there was absolutely NO reason for it.  It was someone I didn’t know very well and the way they treated me was hateful, hurtful and mean spirited – and even though I didn’t know them very well – IT HURT MY FEELINGS.

For the later part of my day, their incorrect words of my character smarted.  Stung. And as I went through the rest of my day their nastiness and mean-spiritedness clung to me.  Even though I knew I didn’t deserve it.  And so, I had to take it to the Father in prayer.  Which was the VERY last thing I wanted to do… What I wanted to do was hurt them back.  But Holy Spirit whispered into my ear:

“Kelly, you need to pray for them…”

The little bit that I knew about this person was that they had gone through a life-threatening illness (like me).  And maybe were even dealing with the aftermath of their experience.  I have no idea the specifics of that individual’s life.  But I knew someone Who did know them…

MY HEAVENLY FATHER

And I know that the Bible tells me in Psalm 37:23:

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” 

If you are a part of God’s “Called Remnant” (a follower of Jesus) than your steps are ordered by God.  Which means He has strategically placed you in places where He wants you to radiate His light!  

Here is the thing about Holy Spirit – YOU don’t radiate light – HE DOES.

And you can bet your sweet bippy that if you love Jesus and are living for Him.  If You have made Him your Savior, LORD OVER your life – the light of Christ is shining like a beacon through you.  Have you ever seen a “beacon” of light?  It is blinding!  Sometimes you have to raise your arm over your forehead just to be able to adjust to what you see in front of you…

LISTEN – NEVER DIM HIS LIGHT

After spending the greater portion of the day licking my wounds, I remembered that I had not put on my “Spiritual Armor” as we are called to do in Ephesians 6:10-18:

 ^“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

In other words, I began my day spiritually butt naked and underwent a spiritual attack that left me smarting… (I’ll know better next time).

I found myself having bad feelings towards this person (which only filled me with pain and anxiety – two things that are NOT of God).

And as I asked myself (as in the beginning of this post:

HOW DID JESUS DO IT? IN FACT, HOW DOES HE STILL DO IT?

I realized that it is for this reason that we are STILL here… That Jesus hasn’t come back to take us (His bride) home yet… Because there are SO many hurting people who haven’t experienced the love of Christ!  I’m talking about the VERY personal love of Christ.  And the way He usually does it – is to work through the Body of Christ (that’s you and me…).

So, in writing this – I’ve answered my own question… That irritating person is NO different than irritating me! 😉  (And I CAN be extremely irritating – let me be honest! God’s not done with me yet… As long as we have breath in OUR bodies, we are ALL works in progress).

God has called us to pray for people.  And you can’t “pray” for someone and not feel the compassion of Christ.  God has commanded us to love one another and the BEST way to do that – is to pray for them.  (And I don’t mean in a condescending, mean-spirited way – but with the compassion that Christ had for us when He chose to get up on that ol’ rugged cross and die a death He didn’t deserve… But we did…)  It is by OUR love that they will see a difference in us… And maybe, through praying in love for them and not holding onto a grudge for the pain they have caused, Holy Spirit will soften their hearts, and they will come to know Love Himself… You know, scripture tells us that we will be surprised by some of those we see in Heaven.  I imagine some will be surprised by seeing US there… 😉 All because He loved US first…