Love Never Fails

Somewhere on Facebook yesterday, I saw a photograph of a protester holding a sign. The message ripped into my heart in an unexpected and sudden way. It said, "If Jesus comes back, kill him again." You never quite know on the internet whether photos like this are staged or if they're candid, but either way there was someone behind that picture, and my heart broke a little for that person. The guy holding the sign stayed with me. My spirit grieved that photograph overnight, and I woke up still thinking about it.

I've been wiggling into my old routine again after a long illness, so this morning I brushed my teeth and washed my face, let the dog out, sat down in my favorite chair and flipped on the television. In the higher cable channels, I have a station that plays lovely contemporary Christian music, and I often start my day by praising God and singing along. Once again, the guy with the horrendous sign pressed down on my spirit, and I felt led to pray about it again.

When I was through, I quietly asked God why my heart was so heavy about this person. Just as quietly, my spirit replied. "Because you know him."

Of course I don't know the guy in the photograph. But I do know many people like him. Bold, proud, outspoken. Clueless. So many people have crossed through my life who don't know the love and grace of Jesus Christ in their lives, who can't even consider making Him (or anyone else) the Lord of their lives.

"Have I missed the mark?" I prayed. "What could I have done that I didn't do? What should I do in the future when I come across those people?"

A soft whisper of an answer came to me then. "Love them."

I chuckled at the simple reply. Frankly, the bold and brash Jesus haters are hard for me to love. I want to. I try to. But it's not easy. I've often thought that it's a little like trying to love the guy on the school playground who tells you that your best friend is ugly. Your first inclination is to deck him, not love him. But the Holy Spirit had something to back it up with this morning. He led me to 1 Corinthians where I was reminded that "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Yes. In fact, "Love never fails."

My prayer time this morning ended with a sweet, uncomplicated song of praise that I'd never heard before. A song called Yahweh by Tal and Acacia. I hope if you're looking for something soft and sweet to share with Him this morning, you'll click here.

And then pray for someone who is clueless. Go out and love someone who seems completely unlovable. Your day will be better for it. And so will theirs (even if they don't know it).