Love Your Enemies
On Tuesday morning, I was on the elliptical at the gym. In front of me were a bunch of empty treadmills, but the screens were on. What is typically on screens in a gym? “News” channels.
On one screen, I watched short video snippets and pictures of the violence that is taking place in the Middle East. There were videos of explosions, people screaming at one another, and pictures of warships moving into formation.
On the other screen, I watched video snippets and pictures of unrest and violence taking place in our own country. I saw videos of crowds of people screaming at one another, pictures of politicians making speeches, and graphs showing the increased cost of living.
The empty treadmill screens filled my mind with these unsettling images, all while I was listening to a song called “Love Your Enemies” by Jon Guerra. Here are a few lines from the song.
Give to everyone who asks of you/ Be good to everybody, no matter who/ Do to them as you would have them do to you/ Love your enemies/ No greater love is there than this/ I laid down my life/ and I would do it again/ I gave it to you, so give it to them/ Love your enemies/ Love, love, love your enemies/ And be children of your father in heaven/ Children of your father in heaven
My eyes were absorbing the hate on the screens, while my ears were taking in these words of Jesus. My heart became very heavy.
I bet your heart is heavy too. I invite you to PAUSE. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Pray.
Holy Spirit, settle my mind, body, and soul even as the world seems to be going further into chaos.
Pause.
Reflect on these words from Jesus.
Matthew 5:43–48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Pause.
What’s the first thing that came to your mind after reading those words from Jesus? Do you have any enemies you need to pray for?
Pause. Pray for them.
Think about those treadmill screens. Have you let either of those “news” channels disciple you more than the words of Jesus?
Pause. Confess that to Jesus.
The last song I listened to that morning is called “Jesus”, and it ends like this. May it be your prayer today.
My Lord, my God
Stay close, don't be far
You know how I need you
Make in me a heart
Pure enough to see you
In every speck of dust
In dry and lonely places
And in every one of us
Be light, be kind, be gracious
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
