Wednesday, 21 October 2009
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A Question About Loving Christ First
"To love others, one must first love Christ".Despite having learned that all my life, I never quite grasped that concept before. It just never really made sense. Why can't we do both kind of at the same level?
The way I saw it, loving my family, my friends, and others around me was to follow in Christ's example - not to be served, but to serve. And I would genuinely try. I tried to do things for people, to give gifts and hugs, and to use my words in a manner that expressed love. But of course, as many times as I did succeed, I'm sure there were many more times when I failed. Like a child's "i lv u" note, the gestures are sweet and the intentions are true, but the picture is not complete.
Now, I cannot say that I had a great epiphany and all became crystal clear, but something did begin to click last night, like a temporary smidgen of blue in a cloud-covered sky. While speaking with my boyfriend over the phone, I gradually felt more and more compelled to pray for him, not promising to do so afterwards as I normally would, but right then and there. I fought the feeling for a while as I'm someone used to dread praying aloud in the company of others, and I'm still not completely comfortable with it. I even told him, "I really want to pray for you right now, but I feel nervous just thinking about it." The desire ended up outweighing my nerves and I took the chance. After we hung, I thought, "Wow." There's just something about praying with someone vs praying for someone (out of his/her hearing and/or knowledge). It was an offer of love and comfort far beyond the capabilities of my human heart. By having begun to develop the relationship with and love for God, I found myself gifted with the bearings of comfort from the very source of love, something I'd wouldn't have otherwise been able to do.
A lesson learned becoming a lesson understood.
How did/do you interpret loving Christ before loving others?
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About the Author
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- From: pensively@xanga
- Name: pensively
- About Me: a typical oddity
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Comments (10)
It is a wonderful thing that you took a shot and prayed for your boyfriend with him while still on the phone. I hope you two continue to keep up that practice, and, hopefully, one day he will begin to pray openly with you as well!
I suppose the phrase is a very common one, and it's kind of nice, but what I've always had impressed upon my heart is to "Love Christ above your love for others". Mostly a parot of "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." (Mat 10:37).
I interpret it to be very true, after all it should be the ultimate goal for us. I have always thoughts about it, and i still do, but i don't know if i am there even though I am doing everything I know how to do towards it. It is something I want to achieve, it is the ultimate goal for any Christian -- I used to work with a guy who prayed every night over the phone with his brother, I used to think that would be hard for me, but now I really want to try it-- and I do know the commitment through servant-hood does indeed supposedly bring you closer to Christ, like being committed to you community, family, boyfriend, or spouse. So make sure your boyfriend loves your faith too, and pray with him whenever you can; I think it is a great thing. Furthermore, a verse I love in which portrays this: Luke 9:62.
I learned the inverse of this lesson. First to love others one must be the beloved. I find it works better.
p
I interpret this as not placing anyone else's affections or requirements of you above God's affection and what He desires from you. For me, it's so easy to let my (ex) boyfriend's compliments boost my self esteem and make me feel loved when really, I should be seeking those things from God. I have to remind myself over and over to not let love of "things" or pleasing others take priority over God, and it's a lot easier said than done.
Jesus said that loving God was loving neighbor. It's the greatest commandment. Since God is infinite and Jesus is no longer here in the flesh loving our living, breathing neighbor is what makes love of God real.
Praying with someone is an example of love of neighbor.
@deepestrecesses - Thanks. And yes, I've heard that one as well. I suppose they're not quite the same, but I was aiming for a similar concept. It seems almost like after first learning to love Christ, we then strive to continue by loving Him above all else.
@Pashe@xanga - Mm, I agree there does need to be that balance between loving and being loved.
@sarahzthoughts@xanga - Hm, I'd never really thought about that before. Thanks for sharing.
@pensively@xanga - I agree w/ @LoBornlyte@xanga; but I think it's more like a white hole or river leading into an ocean not so much a balance, but the place where we begin to learn to love our neighbor and our enemies and ourselves. We learn to love everyone from seeing how God first loves us.
p
I can completely relate.. Things in my boyfreind's personal life and in my own have been crazy. I kept asking God, what else can we do to show you how serious about You we are, and how else can we plead with You to move in our circumstances. I felt strongly that we should start praying together.. at first we both just sat there... scared! But then he took the step to pray and I can't explain in words what that meant to me... If nothing else through praying together God gave me even more of a heart for my boyfriend. I'm sure your boyfriend feels the same way.
I highly doubt God wants you to ignore the people in your life, especially when they need your help. Loving God before others means you love Him more than anyone else.
everything here seems right on track. I need to forward this to a young friend of mine.
May God continue to direct, keep, and bless you and yours,