Leah Grace Last week, I began a blog series called “Representatives”, where I was beginning to discuss what it looks like to represent God to those around us. If you haven’t read the first post, I recommend that you check it out before reading this one (:
A few days ago, I worked up the courage to let my 4 year old nephew help me on the 1000 piece puzzle I was working on. I felt as though I was traveling on dangerous territory, haha! We sat together for quite a while— I was putting the pieces together and he was doing his best to stay orderly and not mess everything up!
We talked a little off and on, but at one point, he just went, “Leah?”
“Yes?” I responded.
“I love you.” He didn’t even lift his eyes to look at me, he just said it. And I knew he meant it. It was evident that since he was clearly focused on doing the puzzle with me (even telling me he didn’t want to see his mommy—he just wanted to work on the puzzle together), his expression of love was just an overflow of what was in his heart!
At that moment, his love made me feel so special. Like I had succeeded as an auntie! Like the countless hours of silly faces and running around and feeding the farm animals with him actually meant something.
He could’ve felt like he loved me and been so happy about it, yet never told me. He demonstrated his understanding of love to me in the best way he knew how, and I was impacted by it.
Here’s the thing: we will love others the way we feel loved. For my nephew, he knew I loved him—the fact that I was doing a puzzle with him in the other room instead of partaking in conversation with my mom and older sister made that clear. The kind words, smiles, and help that I gave him helped him realize that I loved him.
And you know what? He just wanted to give it back.
In this same way, Christ followers will love others the way they think God loves them. Some of the most kind, empathetic, and loving people you meet will very often have a lot to say about the love of God.
At the end of the day, what has been most impactful in your life is what you will be most passionate about-and for me, it is the love of God! I’ve seen it show up in my life so many times and work miracles, so I can’t help but want to share that with others. If we ever want to know true love…
Our ultimate example of love is Jesus.
He was all about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49), and one thing about His life on earth that never ceases to amaze me is His love for the people around Him—even the sinners.
When He addressed the woman caught in adultery, He didn’t tell her how disgusted God was with her, how terrible of a person she was, and how much He was disappointed by her actions.
Now think about Zacchaeus, the tax collector who was a thief, and viewed by his people as a betrayer. Jesus didn’t demand that he come down from the tree, publicly apologize to everyone he stole from, then be banished from His sight since he was such a despicable little fellow. Jesus told him that He’d be coming to his house that night.
I believe that the amazing love Zacchaeus received is what drove him to make things right by repaying 4x to the people he stole from and giving half his money to the poor.
Also, I personally think that the woman caught in adultery didn’t sin anymore in that way either. This is just my opinion, because I’ve been impacted by the love of God before, and I’ve seen how impossible it is to not be changed after experiencing something like that!
Jesus knew that condemnation doesn’t lead to repentance, a change of thought and actions. The kindness of God is what leads to repentance (Romans 2:4), not shaming and judging.
Anyone can point out a sinner in their sin and make them feel terrible about it. But to see such blatant disrespect of God’s ordinances, yet make others feel loved and valued anyway? That’s a God thing.
This doesn’t mean that it’s okay to go on sinning, as we’re told in Romans 6:1, but it means that love always triumphs over hate and condemnation.
I get that it’s not always easy to demonstrate love to others, especially those who don’t deserve it. But do you know what? Jesus demonstrated His love to us when we didn’t deserve it.
I encourage you this week to focus on demonstrating love to the people around you, love that endures even for the undeserving…
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” — 1 John 4:11
Aw! You are such a good auntie, Leah. I love this post, because it reminds me of the times when I have felt God’s love so deeply. Sometimes it has come from other people and sometimes from God himself. But it’s always so special either way. Thank you for this encouragement, Leah!
Thank you so much, Laura! Yes, I totally get it. So amazing 💛
[…] them before reading this one (they’re not super long!). You can find part one here, and part two here. However, this post can also go as a […]