Love is Our Life’s Calling

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.   By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

One day my husband and I were talking.  Err, having an intense discussion.  Okay, we were arguing.

Our daughter sat on my lap — she was about 8 months old at the time.  I can’t tell you what the argument was about.  But I remember him saying, “Are you really going to start yelling in front of her?  We don’t have to do this right now.”

I was furious he suggested we end this “discussion.”  Of course, my pride had taken over, and rather than acknowledging he was right, I insisted I get my thoughts out no matter the cost.

She was an infant; what could she remember, so I thought.  But to argue while holding my baby, letting her feel and experience the tension and my unloving behavior firsthand, was purely selfish.  I was wrong.  And no matter how justified I might have felt, no matter what my flesh felt, what was best for Olivia right then was what was best for me.

It seems we often hear the command to love, but fail to embrace its true meaning. Christ clarifies stating “just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” That’s quite a commandment!  He’s not telling us to love how we want to love, He’s telling us to love how He loved us.

That means I must die.  It means that in the face of my pride, anger, hurt, entitlement, and desires I am called to love above everything, every time.  No matter whether I like or dislike you. No matter if I know you or you’re a stranger.  I must love you.

Love like this isn’t a feeling.  It’s the deepest consideration for the other person’s well-being, their soul.  It’s beyond wanting them to feel good or have a good life. A lover lives to love; he lives to demonstrate his commitment out of obedience.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Diera Shaw-Mendez

 

 

Written by Diera Shaw-Mendez: Diera Shaw-Mendez is thrilled to be part of the team at Barbara’s Place. She is wife to Chaplain Juan Mendez and mama to Olivia, Sage, and Orlando. She enjoys worshiping at church, designing, event planning, and cooking. Diera is a God-fearing, Starbucks loving, tech junkie (…in that order!) who simply wants to remind women of God’s unchanging, healing love.

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Think About This: “Our Saviour kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and says, ‘I can clean that if you want.’ And from the basin of his grace, he scoops a palm-full of mercy and washes our sin.” – Max Lucado

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 17-20| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ -1 Peter 1:13

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.