Living A Life of Love… [the Believer’s Calling]

A Fallen, Wounding World

God didn’t call us to a life of wounding, friends. He called us to live a life of LOVE. But because of our human-ness, we’re born into a world inherently wounding. And sadly, as creatures of a fallen, imperfect world, we inflict our own wounding behaviors on those around us.

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” – James 3:9

I don’t know about you, but when others wound, misunderstand, or hurt me, I find it much harder for me to choose love. 2024 most certainly provided me with a sizable amount of love challenges for my unbending heart to overcome. Yet, we’re called to look for God’s image in everyone. And when we refuse to see the image of God in all people, no one will see the image of God in us.

“To love another person is to see the face of God.” – Victor Hugo

The invitation to love our wounders, transgressors, offenders, etc. becomes a struggle when we lose sight of the image of God in others. A correct understanding of our own sinful nature rightly places us humbly at the foot of the Cross. God’s merciful love towards us compels us, as maturing believers, to be lavish in His perfect love towards a broken, not-so-lovable world.

Hope in the Darkness

There’s no one this side of eternity that loves with a perfect love except for God Himself. Yet, the HOPE of the gospel message is that with God’s help, we are transformed to His likeness. Our ability to grasp God’s mercy and extend extraordinary grace in an adversarial world shines His great LOVE ✨ in the vast darkness.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” – Ephesians 5:8

Our hope rests in the One who came and is to come. He will restore all that is broken in the world.  Our job is simply to live a life of love. And in all of life’s hardest places, too. Therefore, “consider it pure joy” when you face challenges. Because we know that the “testing of our faith produces perseverance.” So that we may “be mature and complete” in His perfecting Love. 

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” – James 1:12

As the year winds down, I humbly asses the monumental failures of my human heart. But I’m oh so encouraged by the Hope of Glory that lies within. And I’m reminded, when I draw near to Him, I am transformed by grace into His image. 

“Not only to be so full of God’s love [I no longer fathom speaking unkind words or committing unkind deeds], but to SHINE so bright for all the world to see.” 

This is my life long quest, friends. I hope you’ll join me in 2025* for another year of accepting the challenge to love–one challenging circumstance at a time. 💕

💫 With each new year, comes a new journal. I always re-paste this Henri Nouwen quote inside the front flap of my journal as a personal reminder. “The love of Jesus will give you an ever-clearer vision of your call… The more you are called to speak for God’s love, the more you will need to deepen the knowledge of that love in your own heart.” And so I shall… 

*To get a jump start on the 2025 [Accept] The Love Challenge, download your free mini-devotional, How to Love an Unlovable World. Join the TLC Facebook community to experience the 9 week journey of overcoming the struggle to love others.