9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
I read a devotional today that states: Hosea was the one who had been wronged and humiliated. Yes, he was the one following God, but he was also the one called to sacrifice. We misunderstand the full meaning of sacrifice, thinking it is only a decision to “give up” self-centered rights, hoarded resources, or the freedom to walk away. Sacrifice is a mirror reflecting our own pride and sin, calling us to lay down all sense of human justice or fairness in order for God to work in and through us to love others.
I find about myself... I know that God called me to sacrifice my entire life for Him... to live a life of loving others who might never love me.. just to show His great love for His people... and I thought I accepted that.. truly I thought I did.. but a short term life of sacrifice is very much different than a long term one.. and I get tired and want someone to think about me once in a while...
but as is stated by the author above (Mary Southerland) sacrifice is a mirror that reflects our own sin and pride.. it causes us to recognize how much we feel sorry for ourselves or want someone else to 'see' us and do for us... and while these are normal feelings...
God has called His people to be more than normal... He has called us to stop thinking of how we feel.. suck it up.. wipe our eyes and keep on giving to others.. regardless of whether they ever return the love or actions... He has called us to love without conditions.. without end.. without looking for something in return...
touch me Lord Jesus... make me a better person than I am today so that I can be all that you are calling me to be... help me to keep YOU as my first Love.. so that I can love others as you have called me to do... amen.
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