But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27,28
I got some great advice a few months back that I’ve used over and over again since. I was told to “pray blessings” for someone who was being abusive and hateful. I can truly say it was one of the hardest things I’ve done. Boy, talk about a discipline – it was a chore! But, it worked. Almost instantaneously. The person who gave me this advise (and who is likely reading this) said that the outcome is that by praying blessings, it takes a lot of the bad feelings away. Which is true, but I think what it really does is locks us even tighter with the Holy Spirit.
I’ve come to know Him (the Holy Spirit) more lately – mostly because of that experience – but also because I’ve been searching (albeit still somewhat unsuccessfully) for my true spiritual gifts. I’m becoming familiar with how engaged I am with Him during the day by the level of peacefulness I feel – or like right now by how easy this is coming to me. It is quite amazing to truly know He dwells in me.
Loving our enemies is a tall order. As humans we are bound up with honor and entitlement. We feel like we need to be treated fairly and are justified in our anger. But – Christ has a different plan. Love. Is that too cliché? I don’t think so. It is the thing that keeps the Spirit dwelling in us. I know for me the less love I have in my heart, the less I feel the Spirit in me. And I don’t like not feeling Him.
God, thank you for allowing your Holy Spirit to dwell in me and give me peace – teach me Love. You are everlasting in your greatness. Praise to you! AMEN
Jim (jmitch1)
