NATIONAL LOVE YOUR ENEMY DAY- IS IT A THING AND WHY..........
I recently submitted a request for consideration to add a National Love Your Enemy Day to be approved. Not sure if it will be, but hey, if we have National Donut Day, why do we have a day dedicated to hitting pause on the divisiveness and hate and spend some time intentionally expressing goodwill to those who may have hurt us or with whom we passionately disagree?
Our society seems to be struggling with having civil discourse and seeing value in human beings who don't think like we do. Want proof? Visit any comment thread of a hot topic issue visits a post about meatloaf and how to make it; I'm sure that can get contentious, too, lol! Seriously, people get nasty, and I am sure you don't need me to prove it. Have we become so disconnected in our connectedness that we have forgotten that human beings are on the other side of the monitor, or do we just no longer care?
It's worth mentioning that we have a lot of significant issues front and center right now, so the polarity and disagreement on many topics are rife.
Have we decided to love our enemy/adversary/foe/unfriend means we agree with their beliefs or behaviors or even condone what they do or forgive them for a horrible wrong they've committed?? It does not. Do we trust that God will exact justice? Some of us don't.
Does my anger cloud my ability to see your intrinsic value as created in the image and likeness of God our creator and to treat you that way? Do we know that unforgiveness keeps us bound? It affects; heck s our health, physical and mental. It impacts our relationships. It keeps us from experiencing joy. If Christian, unforgiveness keeps our prayers from being heard and can affect our ability to experience closeness with God. There are all prices I am not willing to pay. Are you?
Friend, loving your enemy doesn't mean you become friends; it just means you don't intentionally try to harm them in any way and try to do good to or for them. Pra ing for them is one way to do good. Not talking poorly about them is one way not to harm them.
What motivates us to seek change? Is it seeing positive changes come to manifestation or driving our enemy into the ground or obscurity, where we think they belong? Mot ve matters and determines the life/energy available.
Is the anger/hate/bitterness/vitriol we feel for those we consider our enemy fueling and motivating us? If not, that's a dangerous road to trek. I s re hope not because, eventually, that gas runs out or eats us alive in the process. Why? Age, experience, and life bring wisdom; suddenly, everything isn'tthat's so cut and dry. I've learned over the years that I do not get enough oxygen to think and discern rationally and charitably. The fall hurts a lot more too.
Can we genuinely differentiate between hate for systems and hate for people? What do I mean? Well, some folks HATE PRO-CHOICE beliefs, which essentially say it's ok to end the life of an unborn baby, almost at any time, for any reason.
Do I then hate the workers and patrons of organizations that work to make this choice/service possible, or do I hate the system itself? Yes, it's the system and what it does that you hate. Can you believe that the people in those organizations believe what they are doing is right and moral?
What about political parties? If I am a Republican and you are a Democrat, do you, as a D, automatically judge me as a gun-toting, white trash redneck who is a racist? Is t really that simple? Do we classify complex and unique human beings into such plug-and-play categories? I can't. I won't.
I KNOW. I KNOW. I am treading on dangerous territory, but we must ask these questions.
For some of you reading this, you are already angry, either at Pro-Choice supporters or Republicans or at me for insisting you forgive someone who has harmed you and your friend. You are in danger of missing the point entirely and falling into the trap of hate and distraction. Please Don't. Your Choice.
For those of us who are Christians, we are called to a Higher Standard. We're commanded to Love Our Enemies- NO EXCEPTIONS. If Jesus loved those, who were torturing and murdering him, who are we not to? You cannot do it alone. Holy Spirit will enable and equip you, but it is possible.
This friend is where I have had many opportunities to practice what I preach. If you knew my whole story, you'd know why. Loving my enemy has cost me…. but simple obedience in this matter has also given me much more than it has taken. I'll save that for the next post on this subject.
So- we must face this Simple but not easy matter of "Loving Your Enemy." To do that, we must first understand our beliefs, hence my prompting questions above.
On the surface, let's agree that Every. One Has A. Story. Every. One. Is. Valuable. Every. One. Matters.
If it is new to you, the concept of Loving Your Enemy may feel overwhelming. Don't worry, you don't have to do it all today. Just be willing to be willing.
Prayer: Father, as soon as Tammi began speaking about Loving Your Enemy, a face, a name, a person came to mind immediately. When I think of this person, my stomach knots, and I become anxious and angry. Lord, I know what your word says about forgiveness and want to obey you, but I am not entirely ready to do so. Lord, please help me become willing to follow you, soften my heart God and heal it where it's been wounded, and Lord, help me see them as you do.
Lord, I don't trust (insert name, agency, etc), but I trust you. In "Jesus' Name. Ame".
For the next 30 days, pray for that person that came to mind. Pracan't that God bless them, keep them from harm, reveal himself to them, etc. Be consistent, even when you don't "feel like it," and trust that God will work in your heart. don'tAlso commit to reading and studying the scripture on forgiveness and loving your enemy.
Know that I'll be praying for you and cheering you on.
These folks said we should love our enemies...... are they all wrong?
#jesus#corrietenboom,#ghandi #desmondtutu#marktwain#martinlutherkingjr#abelincoln#cslewis#nelsonmandela#mahatmagandhi#loveyourenemy#loveyourneighbor #benfranklin #hateistoxic #distractionfromth
egospel #enemies # friends # love
P.S.- I let yo
You know if the national day is approved! 😊 Thanks for reading!
Love,
Tammi