Loving the unlovable. I have started this and stopped and reworded and reworked my writing about five times already and all the while for a few weeks now pondered this phrase “how do I love the unlovable?” You know what’s strange? On a global scale this seems easier than it seems in my actual life with personal relationships. Why is that? When I get confused about things, when I can't sleep, when I have questions, I write letters to God. I open His word. I pray. So let's start there.
Dear God,
How do I love someone who is unlovable? What am I supposed to do here on earth with imperfection? What can I do to handle tough situations that are filled with hurt and pain that can easily evolve into feelings of not liking the person who caused the pain which then equals the unlovable.
I know you left us this big book full of instruction and knowledge and I also know we can interpret your life instruction book in many different ways. I may see that love is the answer on paper but HOW I put it into action might make all the difference. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
All I can say Lord, is I’m struggling and I NEED you and I do believe we were created with free will, imperfection and sin so we would need something far bigger than ourselves to navigate this life here on earth. So I need you Lord. I can’t do this alone. I can’t love the unlovable without you. I just can’t.
What if the unlovable doesn’t want to love us back, do I still need to love them? “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you …” (Luke 6:27). I have prayed for answers, I have opened the word and in writing this letter to you Lord, I have come to the conclusion when you say "love your enemies"...(the unlovable) I don't think you mean, let's hang out and have a relationship with them. I think this is where I get confused as a human being. I equate love to having a relationship, hanging out being fully vested.
Accepting the truth, letting go and still being able to love is what I can do. I can pray for them and I can be there for them in a time of need because this is what you do for people you love. Let go and love because hatred is a great time waster and we all know...time slips by quick.
After re-reading this, I know it may sound confusing. Like a big struggle and that would be true. It's like a human tug of war with God. His way is clear but my human way wants to fight it. His way is much harder and that is exactly why I can't do it without Him. If it were left up to me, I would allow myself to be filled with animosity and it goes back to the great time waster. God's got this. Not me.
Please visit my friend Staci Lee in A Life Developing she has a heart for God. I have witnessed her love for God translate to people in a beautiful way.