The Love Dare, Day 9: Love Makes Good Impressions
You know what the hardest thing about The Love Dare is? Doing it as a single means NOBODY is doing it with you. That means when you’re “dying to yourself,” and “putting other people’s needs above your own,” and LAYING UNDER EVERY SPEEDING BUS THAT ROLLS YOUR WAY, nobody else is reciprocating. It’s just you. And it gets very frustrating. And it’s also called “Christianity,” LOL, and that’s the path I’ve voluntarily chosen, so I’m sucking it up.
As Christ said, in Matthew 5:46-48, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” I am learning that there are circumstances in which you can and should defend yourself in a godly way. There are also circumstances in which, for the sake of peace and out of sincere love, you should just let that bus run you over. The Holy Spirit will tell you what battles to fight and what battles are His alone to forge. Life is hard. LOVE is hard. Being a Christian that’s really bout that life is HARD. But we “can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”! Let’s roll this bus on to day 9!
Day 9: “Love Makes Good Impressions”
Today’s Scripture: “Greet one another with a kiss of love.” –1 Peter 5:14
Today’s Lesson: Both Christ and His apostle Paul talk repeatedly in the Bible about greeting each other in love. While Paul’s words emphasize greeting his brothers in the ministry and his readers with love, Christ says, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” We are called to greet both our loved ones and enemies, people we’re quarreling with and strangers with kindness, humbling ourselves whenever possible.
The Love Dare authors stress that when people know you’re happy to see them, it can completely change their mood, their self-worth can increase and they feel more valued. All of that change can happen with a simple kind greeting! Since love is a choice, you can choose to change the way you greet your friends and enemies that will reflect the love of God and will create an atmosphere for positive and healthy communication to take place.
Today’s Dare: Greet someone today in a new way that lets them feel valued and appreciated and determine to greet everyone you meet with kindness. How will your greeting change?
Scriptures I’m Meditating On:
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love.” (Philemon 7)
“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” Romans 16:16
Today’s Song: The Battle Is Not Yours — Yolanda Adams
Buy THE LOVE DARE!
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