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Step Into His Will for You: Love One Another
I don’t know if you ever find the “love one another” command difficult to step into–I know I do sometimes. It’s not that I don’t want to, but it’s tricky when the ones I know I’m struggling to love are not exactly as easy to love as #naturephotography on Instagram or Twitter. And I do wish it was as easy to love everyone as I love watching the trumpeter swans that visit our Comox Valley each winter.
But God’s been working on me; He’s continuing the transformation process He started in me over three decades ago. Each morning I get washed in His Word. Each Sunday when I manage to make my way to church, He washes me with words from the sermons and worship songs.
And that’s just it—it’s God doing the washing of me and the loving through me when I obey and extend what’s been poured into my soul.
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The Canada geese and Trumpeter swans in the short video I’ve recorded and placed at the end of this post kinda remind me of the love found in a healthy family or healthy community. The birds don’t all look or act the same, yet they paint a beautiful picture of how diversity should look: peaceful.
I was blessed to live in a diverse neighborhood when I was a child. Some of my friends didn’t have the same colour of skin as I did; I’m glad because that’s the way it should be, and it’s still that way today.
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My heart broke to hear of hate being fired out of a killing machine in my beloved Canada (Quebec) last month.
When I listened to an interview on CBC radio of a friend of one of the victims, I was impressed with the love he expressed for Canada as he shared how thankful he was for the love being showered on him and the other survivors of a shooting that took place in his mosque.
I cried as I listened to his frightened voice.
I cried because I wish he and his Muslim friends felt safer than they do right now.
And I cried because my grandfather didn’t fear for his life when he came to Canada from Poland many years ago.
Racism is hate.
We’re all brothers and sisters. We’re all made in the image of the Creator. And just as the killer proved, anyone from any group can fall far enough into cruelty that he or she becomes someone’s worst nightmare.
We need to stop pointing fingers and put on love.
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Make me a soul softener
Not a finger pointer
So the Light shining in me
Is true
Because it’s You
Wendy / 2017
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Hate does not come from God. God is love.
God bless Canada; God bless all Canadians.
Multicultural and Diverse Blessings ~ Wendy <3
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God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:16 (NIV)
Such timely thoughts! Americans share your heartbreak, concern, and prayers. I know it’s hurts the heart of God as well. Thank you for using your lovely photos to illustrate your points. They always hit home, dear friend!
Thank you, dear Norma. We live in an age where it’s more important than ever to share God’s love. <3 God bless North America.
It’s a very difficult situation. But loving isn’t difficult. <3
So true, dear friend. Hate doesn’t heal–only Love can. <3 We need to be "wise but harmless."
I wish everyone in the world was harmless. A safe place sounds so wonderful … like Heaven. <3
Amen about Heaven, dear Shelli. There won’t be any extremists there–only extreme worship. xo
Thanks for this moving post, Wendy. I appreciate how your have emphasized your thoughts on showing God’s love to all mankind through your prose, poetry and photography. Yes, it is difficult to deal with the hatred that is out there, but I believe there are many more loving acts done in one day than there are acts of hatred. May we be God’s ministers to multiply the number of acts of love and kindness in the world around us.
Thank you, dear Sharon, for reminding me “there are many more loving acts done in one day than there are acts of hatred.” What healing words to wrap around ourselves as insulation against so much of what’s in the news these days. <3
Amen, Wendy. Excellent message and beautiful photos, as always.
Thank you, Bill. I always appreciate your encouraging words, dear brother. Blessings to you and Mary. 🙂
Beautiful pictures. Thank you for the thoughtful post.
Thank you, dear Karen, for your kindness. <3
A lovely post Wendy and one that those of other faiths can relate to..
Thank you, dear Sally. God’s Love is the best common ground we can all share with each other. Blessings. <3