Love Who? You Can’t be Serious?

He muttered, “I know where you live. I am gonna get you.” It was unnerving knowing he had served time for arson, grand theft, attempted murder and smuggling. Suddenly, I had an enemy. I’d had enemies before. There was Paul in third grade and Billy in fifth grade. In those days, we settled our scores with fists. I never had an enemy like this guy before.

A couple weeks later, I read a scripture that said, “Love your enemies.” I’d read it before, and used to think in my naivety, yes, teacher, I love my enemies. Now I was thinking– love him? He’s threatened me and my family, and you want me to love him? I don’t think so.

It’s a lot easier to love your enemy when the threat is small and insignificant. It’s harder to love your enemy when he’s attacking you, especially when he or she is blowing up bombs under your Humvee, or shooting bullets at you. Those who literally have you in their cross-hairs aren’t thinking about love. The “love your enemy” practice works in theory, but does the theory work in practice? Well, one way to love your enemy is to pray for them. You don’t have to like them, or trust them, or know them, or sacrifice yourself to them. But you can earnestly pray for them, even while you prepare for them.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, our enemies are real. We ask that we see them as You see them, and that they see us as You see us. We are all Your children. Let Your love-light illuminate both our hearts. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: Love your enemy.

Source: Luke 6:27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies…”