12 January 2025: Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind... It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Love is the foundation of our faith, yet it is often the most difficult to live out. Jesus commanded us to love not just our friends and family, but even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). This kind of love is radical. It goes beyond feelings and emotions—it is a deliberate choice to show grace, kindness, and forgiveness, even when it’s undeserved.

I once struggled with loving a difficult person in my life—a colleague who was consistently critical and unkind. Every interaction felt like a challenge, and over time, I began to dread seeing them. My natural instinct was to avoid them, to protect myself from their negativity. But one day, during my prayer time, I felt God whisper to my heart: “Love them.”

At first, I resisted. Love them? But they don’t deserve it! I wanted justice, not grace. But God kept nudging me. So, instead of avoiding them, I started praying for them. At first, my prayers were hesitant and half-hearted, but as I continued, something changed—in me. My heart softened. I began to see beyond their harsh words and noticed their struggles. Slowly, I started responding with patience instead of frustration, with kindness instead of irritation.

One day, out of the blue, they opened up to me about their personal struggles. I realized that their unkindness wasn’t about me at all—it was a reflection of their own pain. Over time, our relationship transformed. What once was tension turned into a surprising friendship, all because of the power of love.

Loving difficult people isn’t easy, but it is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. Love isn’t just a warm feeling; it is an action, a choice we make every day. It means choosing patience when we want to snap, kindness when we want to retaliate, and grace when we want to hold a grudge.

Think about Jesus on the cross—He loved even those who mocked and crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). That is the kind of love we are called to reflect.

Who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you today? Maybe it’s a family member who has hurt you, a friend who has let you down, or even a stranger in need of kindness. Ask God to help you love as He loves—freely, unconditionally, and without limits.

Lord, teach me to love as You love. Help me to extend grace, patience, and kindness even when it’s difficult. Soften my heart and use me to reflect Your love to those around me. Amen.