Growing a love

I was a nervous wreck-- sweating, trembling, tachycardic =), as I listened to my sister perform one of Mendelssohn's masterpieces. Measure by measure, I didn't want her to make a mistake, and if she did, that she would be able to keep on going. And when she hit her last chord, a wave of relief calmed my heart, she did it! Woo!

As I reflected back on my emotions, I came to realize the reason why I was so nervous for her was because I loved her so much that I shared her nervousness. And likewise, I shared in her accomplishment when she bowed after her performance.

All of this got me thinking about the church and I Corinthians 12:26:

"If one part suffers, ever part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoiced with it."

It's easy for me to think that Christians should have it together, that they don't need as much love as someone else. But that's so not true. I know that I go through difficult times, and yes, God is our comforter, but at the same time, He gives people in our lives to encourage and to help us when we are in need. So how do I grow a love for my brothers and sisters? And for those who are hard to love in general? 

Funnily, God continues to teach me that same evening at life group. We unpacked (I mostly listened) Romans 12:9-13:

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Genuine, authentic love requires a pure motive that results in action. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good... to understand what is wrong and right is not easy. It requires knowing God's character and deep searching in our own hearts. I need to be constantly checking my motives, am I doing this because I want to be considered loving? Or am I doing this because I want God to be the one considered loving? 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." We talked about how God puts certain "difficult" people in our lives to sanctify us. Usually the people that we have the hardest time loving is because it mirrors ourselves. It feels like we are forced to love that person when we don't want to. But through difficult relationships, we grow and learn to love better. May I be patient in hard-to-love people in my life, constantly in prayer in those relationships. Through prayer, my heart will be aligned to God and that my heart will change from a forced love to a willing love. 

"Contribute to the needs of the saints..." This verse connects back to what struck me earlier in the day at Becca's recital. I learned that by caring for our brothers and sisters, we meet their needs so that we meet the needs of others. By building the body of Christ, we are empowering one another to work for His Kingdom. Lord, give me the heart to love my brothers and sisters and help me to see and care for their needs. I want to rejoice in their joys, and suffer in their sufferings.