13 February 2025: Love

1 Corinthians 16:14
"Let all that you do be done in love."

Love is easy when it’s reciprocated. It’s natural to be kind to those who are kind to us, to love those who agree with us, and to extend grace to those who have earned it. But what about when love is hard? When misunderstandings arise, when people disappoint us when their beliefs or choices challenge our own—how do we love then?

I remember a time when a close friend and I had a falling out over a deep disagreement. Our conversations turned tense, and the warmth of our friendship faded into silence. I was hurt, frustrated, and tempted to walk away. Why should I love someone who refuses to see things from my perspective?

One evening, as I prayed about the situation, I felt God gently remind me: Love is not about agreement—it’s about obedience. Jesus didn’t say, “Love only those who think like you.” He said, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Love isn’t conditional. It doesn’t require sameness or shared opinions. It isn’t about proving a point, but about reflecting Christ’s heart.

The next time I saw my friend, I made a choice—not to win an argument, but to love them despite our differences. I listened more than I spoke. I softened my heart instead of hardening it. Slowly, the walls that had built up between us began to come down. We didn’t resolve everything, but love made space for grace.

Christ calls us to a radical kind of love. A love that forgives before it’s asked for. A love that listens instead of condemns. A love that reaches out instead of walks away.

Loving others well isn’t about feeling good—it’s about showing the love we have first received. Jesus loved us at our worst. He loved us when we were sinners, when we rejected Him, when we failed. And He calls us to love others with that same unconditional, unshakable love.

Who in your life needs love today? Maybe it’s someone who has hurt you. Maybe it’s someone who frustrates you. Maybe it’s someone you’ve given up on. Ask God to help you love them—not because they deserve it, but because He first loved you.

Lord, teach me to love as You love. Help me to be patient, kind, and compassionate, even when I disagree. Let Your love shine through me in my words, my actions, and my heart. Amen.