“ . . .But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . .”
Jesus asks us to do something almost unbelievable according to Matthew (5:44). We all have someone who is much more than not a friend. I hesitate to call them enemies, but they are people who have no closeness to us. They may have been people who abused you physically or mentally way back in time when you were in school. Or, they may be people who have disrespected you recently because of your opinions, your faith, your sexual preference, or simply the color of your skin.
I am and always was a nerd. I was always envious, and I am guilty of vainglory! I also have an ego! I suffered through running my own business for years until someone took me under their umbrella of influence and gave me an opportunity to change, to follow God’s will. I discovered that my life struggle led to a life-long treasure of spiritual success, a treasure worth more than money.
In his book, Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God, Christopher Maricle writes, “This love is the root of the tree of the soul—and our life in God. We cannot have life in God—neither in this life nor in the next—without agape. Just as a tree needs water to survive, our soul cannot survive without this love.” I learned to love. I learned to see everyone as a beloved brother and sister; I learned to love them. And this freed me!
Since we are all sons and daughters of God, and we are all asked to love others as ourselves, there is no need to fear our enemies; because they are no longer enemies; they are loved! Do not forget, do not pity, do. . . love.
I think that Jesus also offers us to another commandment; Jesus wants us to dare to be happy! If we love, we will be happy.
©Russell Kendall Carter
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