Loving Yourself

The other day someone asked me to do them a favor. Under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't have thought much about it, but I hesitated in this situation. I felt like the only time I hear from this individual was when they needed a favor; not that this person is a bad person. I believe they are good, decent, God-loving and God-fearing, but it didn't change the fact that over the years this individual has never extended themselves to be what I consider a friend. I know everyone's definition of this is different so I won't elaborate on my definition of the word "friend". However, my pastor has often said, "It's good to say I love you, but you have to show people you love them." For me that translates into, "Your words and actions ought to match." So I was really leaning towards telling them no. I recalled all of the social media memes talking about getting new friends for the new year, and how you shouldn't waste your time with people who don't value your time...and so on.

So throughout the day as I was thinking of ways to politely say no to this individual, I was also reading the Beatitudes in Luke 6:27-34 (CEB). Summarily it says to give to everyone who asks you; just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? And if you do what is good to those who are good to you, again, what credit is that to you? I began to think it's easy to do for others when we decide they are worthy. It's easy to do for others when we figure they love us; therefore, it's okay to love them back. But the real test and testament of our character is our ability to give to others who don't give to us and to love those who have not loved us - even better - to not judge them for thinking they have fallen short of our expectations. I'm not responsible for what other people do or don't do; however, I am held accountable for what I do and don't do. And it's always right to do right no matter who's on the other end; I needed to be reminded. After all, how many times would we have lost out or suffered because we got exactly what we deserved. I thank God for His favor, His grace, and His mercy.

The second greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself". The seeds we sow in our youth will be what we reap in our latter days. No deed will go unnoticed to God - good or bad; and sowing good seeds is me LOVING MYSELF enough to sow good deeds into my future. Everything I do I ultimately do it to myself. We reap what we sow! So I don't get to judge my neighbor according to their works, but instead I get to show them the same love that I would want shown to me.