Make the choice

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" Matthew 5:44

Let's face it... no one feels like running outside in sub-zero windchills like we've had the last few days right? But feeling that way doesn't mean you and I have to bring our workouts inside to the treadmill or skip them all together this season. Oh no! We can always choose to bundle up, say goodbye to the warm couch and brave the elements. The bottom line is this... you and I always have a choice. We can choose to do those things we know we should do regardless of how we feel or we can choose not to.  

And when it comes to feelings, the Bible tells us that, like exercise, loving others is something you and I should be doing year-round regardless of whether we feel like doing it or not. You see our world has defined love as "an intense feeling of deep affection" which has nothing to do with true love in God’s terms. This type of love, Agape love, is the highest form of love and is not a feeling but a determined act of will. It is a sacrificial love that stirs us to make the choice to love others even when we don't feel like it because Christ first loved us.

So this Christmas season, and at all other times throughout the year, let us choose to love those who might choose not to love us back and pray for those who might mistreat us because of our faith. And in this way then, may the true love of Christ shine through no matter how we feel. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your example of the highest form of sacrificial love that you showed us by sending your Son, Jesus, to love us when we didn't love him back. Help us to show that same love to others Lord that we might lead them to the Cross. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

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We are the reason - Avalon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMhajmOBr0c