Today I was at River of Hope MCC-Paducah, KY. I was there as CUSEN Network Leader, but also to Preach (Topic- "Love Is Hard" based on Luke 6:32-36).
Dawn Watkins accompanied me on the Journey back and forth this weekend. We had a wonderful time and the drive back and forth did not feel like 10 hours plus.
In honor of Black History Month, I used words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from his 1957 sermon, Love Your Enemies, to demonstrate what happens when we hate versus when we love. I share those powerful words from 1957 here as a reminder to us all…
“… hate distorts the personality of the hater. … it is even more ruinous and injurious to the individual who hates. You just begin hating somebody, and you will begin to do irrational things. You can’t see straight when you hate. You can’t walk straight when you hate. You can’t stand upright. Your vision is distorted. There is nothing more tragic than to see an individual whose heart is filled with hate. …The symbol of objectivity is lost. Hate destroys the very structure of the personality of the hater.”
“…love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. That’s why Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. … keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. …by the power of your love they will break down under the load. …It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. “love your enemies.”
We must remember Dr. King's words. But also remember, loving those who are difficult to love ultimately changes us too.
Read this post within the Be Still Daily Meditation Facebook Group
FB Likes: 0
FB Shares: 0