Love your enemies

“On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20 NIV

As an ultra-runner, I’ve often heard people say to me, “You know Melissa, you may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, the brightest bulb in the pack or the brightest crayon in the box. In fact you might be a few fries short of a happy meal or in need of some intense therapy.” And while that may all be true, especially when it comes to my passion for running, I am smart enough to know that, in the words of MLK Jr. whose legacy we celebrate today, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” And as King also said, I have come to realize with absolute certainty that “Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it. So, as the late Reverend King declared, “I have decided to stick to love…Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

And you know, when it comes to love, the world’s definition of deep affection for someone else is quite different from that of Dr. King’s and that of the Bible. The world’s idea of devotion is to love only those who love us—which leads us to hate those who hate us and to seek revenge against those who have wronged us. Knowing that these actions and attitudes have never led anyone to seek Christ, God gave us this command regarding love that is completely “contrary” to the world’s, “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...” You see, it’s only when you and I love those who have harmed us, hurt us, or hate us in a way completely and totally “contrary” to the world’s way that we will ever be able to drive out hate. There’s nothing else besides love that has the power to do it.

So vow to love like Jesus my friend. Love those who may not deserve it, those who may never return it, and those who may never come to know Christ because of your affections or actions. Love them like Jesus because that’s the only thing that can change the world.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the timely reminder that we are not to love as the world loves but as You love. Cause us to remember that Jesus died for those who would never love Him back and that we should love in the same sacrificial way. Lord place within us a desire to wash the feet of our enemies so that they would see Your love in us and be inspired to step out of the darkness and into Your wonderful light. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!