Finding Love

I admit that I am not the most loving person. I have issues when it comes to being blunt and bold and a lot of people don't understand that. A lot of times it feels like I have to "fake it until I make it" when I talk to people about problems or situations. It takes a lot out of me and I never feel like the right person for the job. That being said God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called, which is honestly great news for me. God doesn't expect you to be everything for everybody, but He does expect you try your hardest to love people well. Now I know some people are just outright difficult and you have no idea how in the world you could ever be in the same room with them for more than 5 minutes, but hey, Jesus died for them too. It's a tough pill to swallow but everyone is need of love, you just never know how much. 

I think about the relationship between Jesus and Peter. Peter never stopped talking, never stopped asking why, and definitely did not believe Jesus could do what He said He was going to do sometimes. I'm a lot like Peter, I doubt that He can give me peace, compassion, and love to give to others most of the time. However, I have to remind myself all the time that God still used Peter despite all of His issues and fallacies. Jesus was being arrested and Peter decided to go full hulk on the Roman guards who were trying to take Jesus away. He cut off one of their ears and instead of Jesus telling Peter good job, He decided to show him what it looks like to have more love in your heart than hate. Jesus replaced the ear of His accuser and found the love in His heart to teach all Christians how we should act towards everyone. 

Even when you don't feel like it or try your best to do the right thing, lead with love. You are never going to be able to read peoples minds or know exactly what they need, but I can guarantee that the one thing everyone wants and might not think they need is love from the one who teaches us how to love. It's not always going to be easy and it definitely will not be fun all of the time, but learning to be the person who people know are going to love first is probably the best gift you could ever have. Learn from Peter, learn from Jesus, and do your best to be there for those who need it the most. You're going to mess up and you're going to need grace, but that's the beauty of it all, Jesus covers up your mistakes and uses them to set you up for success later. Find the love to love others well. 

May the peace and love of God be with you always,

Leah Carpenter