love well.

Don't just pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  --Romans 12:9-10

I've been camping out in this chapter of Romans the past couple days, and I just can't seem to get enough of it to let it and all its implications sink in.

it tells us here, we aren't just to put on our nice-face and try to go about business-as-usual.  to really love someone is deeper than that.  but what all does it consist of?

i'm not talking about a romantic love here; nor do I believe Paul was in his epistle.  he's talking about within the body of Christ; perhaps even, outside of the kingdom.

what does really loving someone look like?  the subsequent verses mention blessing those that persecute you.  rejoicing with those that rejoice; weeping with those that weep.  living at peace with each other.  foregoing pride.  not seeking revenge.  conquering evil with good.

i think it would also include other things that are hard for us to do naturally.  to listen.  to stop giving advice or pointer or our opinions, and to truly listen.  to pray for them, without agenda.  to serve them, without expectation of return.  to give, well, of one's self, without seeking to gain from it.

i used to love well, i think.  i find after years of just plain 'ole life, it's not as easy as it used to be.

it's not easy to really love others, all the time.  it's often harder to really love yourself most of the time.  we've gotta start there.  much in the way they instruct us on planes to make sure our oxygen mask is on and functioning before assisting others or children, we've gotta function well in learning to really love ourselves first.

maybe loving everyone seems exhausting at first.  too overwhelming of a task that it prevents you from ever starting.  start with one.  one person that it is hard for you to authentically love.  maybe they are different.  maybe you don't know them well.  maybe you know them too well, with all their flaws so carelessly displayed.  whatever the cause, you've not loved them well in the past.  start there.  begin with them.  love them genuinely.  bless them.  learn what it is that makes them rejoice, and rejoice with them.  take the time to listen to why they may weep, and weep with them.  let down your pride, become vulnerable.  stomp out evil through good works.

pray. serve. love.

i'm not good at this.  but, we're in this together.  and God's immeasurable grace will be enough to get us going, and enough to cover us as we fail.