Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:37-40) 

 

When I rush through life I tend to see sin in others, not my Savior Jesus. If I first look for someone’s imperfections, I jettison the joy of immediately loving them like they were the Lord. Jesus explains in His parable—the counterintuitive claim of feeding, clothing, visiting the sick and those in prison, are all a reflection of caring for Christ, “You did it for me”. What a loving lens! Prayerfully, I am able to see others like Jesus—beautiful, precious and worthy of my love.

 

I find myself from time to time thinking poorly about another, and frankly at times I get downright angry at someone’s insensitivity toward me or someone I care about. Only when I pray for them am I prepared to love them like the Lord loves them. I have to ask myself, though I have been hurt by this person, how by the power of the Holy Spirit can I look beyond my hurt to the healing their heart needs. In Jesus’ name, I can pray for wholeness of soul for both of us. My posture of prayer prepares me to let go of my hang ups and lift up a needy soul in love.

 

When I pray for people hard to love, it’s hard not to love them. Love sees Jesus in others.

 

From Catherine of Siena, Letters:

 

The soul will want to be on fire with love for God, forgetting itself like a person in love does. People who are in love forget themselves entirely. They have no time for staring at their navels. Instead, they’re totally absorbed in the object of their love. Love has the power to make lover and beloved join in heart and mind. What one loves, the other loves. They are one. I’ve noticed that whenever we love or really want something (whether this is something useful or something merely bringing us joy or pleasure), we don’t care what insult, injury, or trouble we must go through to get it. In fact, we’re so intent on getting what we want, we hardly even notice how hard we are working to get it. Now that’s love!

 

Who do you know who is hard to love? Look at him with eyes of compassion and concern. He may still be stuck in a crazy cycle of hurt from a childhood trauma that fuels his unhealthy emotions. Look for the Lord in his life: his smile, his good deed, his helpful work. Or, she may lack the love of her earthly father—needy and hungry for connection. See your Savior in her life: her wise words, her intuitive sense, her relational skills. Love looks for the best—it sees Jesus. 

 

 

Heavenly Father, give me loving eyes to see You at work in the heart of those who cross my path, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Wow, I was so moved by this devotion that I had to share it. Just the other day I seen something and it said, Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. May this be at the forefront of our minds when we find it hard to love. I needed to be reminded of this today and my prayer is that someone is encouraged to “Look at him or her with eyes of compassion and concern”. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, be kind, always.

 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!

 

Today’s Reading is Proverbs 9:10