Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love

I can't believe God is teaching me so much about love on Valentine's Day! It started yesterday when I went to a cancer support group that teaches patients how to look better. The woman I sat by was really nice and proud of herself for how well she'd been dealing with the cancer. I have no idea why, but instead of building her up, my heart was hard to her and I engaged in a verbal competition to make sure she knew that she wasn't any more special than the rest of us. The details aren't important, besides that I was completely wrong. It seemed like I was being really nice, but my intentions were way off.

I am a firm believer that everyone wants to feel special, it's just the things that make them feel that way differ. This woman wanted--needed--to be bolstered for the bravery she displayed through the course of her illness, and I didn't give it to her. It might be that she was arrogant and self-dependent and God doesn't like that. But it's not my business to put her in her place. 1 Cor 5:12 says, "What business it is of mine to judge those outside the church?".

Instead of subtly putting people down, we shoulld be building them up. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34

Not only did God put me in my place by the shame of what I did, He also used it to answer other prayers. I have been extremely concerned lately about "losing" my healing. It was on my mind constantly and I had been pushing a lot of fears away that were succesfully stealing my joy. I knew satan was ruining everything but I couldn't figure out exactly what to do. I was afraid that if I made a wrong move He would punish me and the cancer would return. I was feeling like I'd be looking over my shoulder forevermore, which effectively made me fear cancer (and thus, satan), more than God. I knew that wasn't the way to go but didn't know what was. Then the spirit showed me the answer!

John 15:9-12, "As the Father loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (I was healed because He LOVES me! Now, how do I "keep" my healing?) It continues, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: LOVE EACH OTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU."

Following Christ isn't about treading lightly as not to stir up the wrath of God. It's not about doing good things to stay on the "nice" list. It's about love. The love He showed by His sacrifice. By the abundance of love He gives us, our hearts should overflow with peace, love, joy, and gratitude. If they don't, we're doing something wrong. I was.

I hope and pray that everyone who reads this will be consumed by love today and always. You've all made a difference in my life so let's see how loving more can make a big impact on even more people, and ourselves!

5 comments:

  1. Erin, I gain insight every single time I read your blog. I really needed to read this tonight. Thank you!

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    1. No, thank YOU Shonna. I'm honored but humbled that God would use me as His vessel, it is great to see good things come of all this. He's definitely providing me more opportunities to show love since I wrote this. Maybe someday it'll be automatic...

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  2. You are doing great. This has been a crash course in APPLYING your Faith... which isn't easy. i had more time to pray, learn and leap those seemingly insurmountable obstacles! Over the 5 yrs since my son's healing i have conversed with many who have rec'd miracles, those who haven't, and yes those who got a miracle and lost it. i see the Holy Spirit is showing you the way, through His WORD! Yes, Love is a good focus. i believe HE purchased Healing for us. Doesn't the BIBLE say HE BOUGHT IT FOR US? HE BORE AWAY OUR SICKNESS AND ILLNESS AND DISEASE BY TAKING IT ALL ON HIS BODY IN THE FLESH! in addition to salvation... i believe he bore our sicknesses and punishments for us... so that we could be WHOLE and live to a long and ripe age. not because we deserve it, not because we earned it, but because we are coheirs with Him, as He is in this world... so are we... and Jesus did not suffer with any disease other than what he allowed to be put on Him to purchase our salvation or (sozo) which also means healing and wholeness! i wrestled with survivor's guilt, watching many other people's children perish and it was heart wrenching and when we get to doubting and questioning God's WORD we can slide down a slippery slope. So yes, rejoice in the fact that you have been HEALED forever! Believe and ACt on it and do not doubt or get into reasoning. a thousand may fall at your side, 10,000 at your right hand, but it WILL not come near you... because you are under the shelter of the most high!!! and you don't just listen to the WORD and deceive yourself... YOU OBVIOUSLY DO WHAT IT SAYS!!!! :)
    SO BE BLESSED AND CONTINUE TO WALK IN THE FAVOR OF YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD JESUS CHRIST! He paid the price! It wasn't by any means free- we just RECEIVE- the New Testament- The Gospel of GRACE!!! or Unmerited Undeserved Favor... FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE!!!!
    much love
    tami byrd
    www.vimeo.com/1593009

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    1. Tami, this is all great to hear. You are EXACTLY right with every word you typed. Now I just have to put it into acton for the longterm! Thanks!

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  3. I am so very happy that you are still blogging :) I love reading your thoughts and insights.

    also...I love you.

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