Loving People In Spite Of Them, Not Because Of Them!
Before the movie "Finding Nemo", came out Steve
Jobs the founder of the Apple Computer company
spent millions of dollars promoting it. Before a
major push on merchandise Nike will sign a multi-
million dollar contract with some sports star.
Sometime soon you will see a major player in the
clothing industry hire a celebrity to promote
their product before the holiday rush. These
companies think they have it figured out. How do
they attract you to the product or service they
are selling? The packaging!!
Millions of dollars are spent on researching and
packaging many products and services even before
they hit the shelves. If they can entice you
enough, then they have a better chance to hook you
into owning it. Many of us get the product home
and when we open it up and it doesn't match the
expectations the outside of the box conveyed to
us. Then in a short period of time we lose our
interest become disappointed and put it on a shelf
only to go try and find another to fore fill our
desires.
Let's say you have a child and they disobey you.
Do you put them on a shelf and go have another or
borrow one from the neighbor. No. You still value
them, accept them and love them. You accept them
in spite of their behavior and actions at the
time. But why don't we take that same type of
thinking with adults we know? It doesn't matter;
friends, dating or married many times we love the
other person because of what they originally
brought to the relationship (the packaging, the
hype). However, once we get to know that person
we realize that they have some things that don't
line up with our expectations of them or remind us
of a past relationship that went sour. They don't
fit in our packaged box anymore. We even try to
mold them to fit, and when they don't we put them
on an emotional shelf with an expiration date. In
the beginning we loved to be around the other
person more and were attracted to them because of
who there were not in spite of who they are.
Jesus Christ is a great example to follow. Did
Jesus die for us and loves us because of who we
are? No! He died for us and continues to love us
in spite of who we are. Even though we may disobey
him or put him second best he still loves us. Even
though at times we do not live up to his
expectations, he realizes each one of us has
things in our lives we could be better at. He
knows we may continue to sin (Romans: 3:23) but
he's not going to put us up on a shelf and find
another one to love. He will continue to nuture,
love and lead us closer to him. He sticks with us
no matter what that is true love.
Let's all love our friends and close companions
not because of what they bring to the table of
life or what they can do for us, but love them in
spite of their areas that don't line up with our
expectations. Don't take a chance and lose a close
friend, or even mate because they didn't fit into
your expectation box. Accept them, value them, and
Love them in spite of it all, you may just find a
diamond in the ruff.
Jesus did!
Greg Ryan is a best selling author of the Changing from the INSIDE OUT series. A powerful five step plan to better your life, get healthier, and have more energy! For FREE mini Course click here! http://www.resolutions.bz
MORE RESOURCES:
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
What is Enlightenment - Meaning Definition and Its relation to Self-Realization
What is Enlightenment?What do we really mean when we talk of Enlightenment? Is it not the bloom of life for a true seeker of spirituality? The life itself comes to a full circle the moment one reaches the stage of Enlightenment. Seeking Enlightenment in the present age (the metallic age aka Kali Yuga in Hinduism is more of a curiosity than the faint hope of being able to achieve it within the present lifetime.
Getting the Feel of Your Faith
Whether we admit it or not, we operate by emotion. Our comfort level, attitude, and efficience are largely determined by how we feel.
The Centre of Our Existence!
Most of us have heard talk or have read something about the seven centers of energies that we refer to as Chakras. I do believe these are very important centers of our being in terms of our energy field, our aura, and most of all our own balance that can manifest into our physical body.
Why Worry
The possibility of almost 400 Old Testament prophesies coming to fulfillment in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, apart from God's sovereign control of history, staggers the imagination. The certainty that God planned the coming of His son into the world can offer stabilizing support to our faith in our Lord.
A People in Exile (Part 1)
Second Isaiah, so called because his book of prophecy was affixed to Isaiah's, had the ability to interpret events in the light of the fundamental conviction that God was the supreme director of all movements of history. He spent most of his life proclaiming to his people, their deliverance and restoration.
Faith and Repentance Basics
As I listen with pastors and preachers in the body of Christ, I have become to see that we minister to people many times on a level they have not yet reached. This is a very critical point when we start to look at the Sunday morning service.
How do You Know If You Have Psychic Ability?
I am sure many of you reading this article have pondered on this subject. Are some people simply born with a special gift or is this an acquired skill all of us can learn.
The Power of Ritual
As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols. Other animals use familiar signs, landmarks and gestures given by us, or act purely on instinct.
Tarot Basics
A Tarot card deck typically consists of 78 colorful cards imprinted with what many deem fascinating and curious images. The cards, each filled with a particular meaning and portent, most often come somewhat larger than ordinary playing cards and make an impressive display when ritually laid out.
Fatal Distractions
There is so much going on in the world around us that it is easy for us to become distracted from keeping our focus on Christ and spiritual things. And our vision slips away from us when we turn to glance at the things of the world.
What Is The Universal Subconscious?
There are many different and interchangeable terms that are used to describe the Universal Subconscious mind. But whatever term you use, metaphysicians and scientists agree that our Universe is a field of vibrating energy.
Will the Angels Abandon Us?
If we don't behave according to a specific church's doctrine, will our guardian angels turn their backs on us? If we are struggling with our overall belief in God or we're questioning the validity of the holy books, will the angels abandon us? What if we believe in God and in the Bible, but we just feel like screwing off for awhile? Will they desert us? Do we have to be good and pure and perfect in order for angels to look after us?I can only speak from my own experience. I was not raised in a church because my father is an atheist and my stepmother just didn't care either way.
Let Go and Let God
As a child growing up, whenever I was worried about something, my mother use to always say, "Girl, don't worry about it. Just let go and let God.
Unfinished Woman
I'm at that place in life many refer to as "the dark night of the soul". My husband and I just finished and moved into our dream home.
The Wisdom of the River: Lessons Learned
Over the past few years I have watched the popularity of whitewater rafting grip the vacation market. "Strange", I thought.
A People in Exile (Part 2)
Mother Nature has this uncanny tendency to turn upon herself - undoing with her left hand what she has made with her right. She sends hailstorms to the destruction of her own blossoms.
Releasing the Yoke
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is referring to a heavy piece of wood shaped to fit around the neck and fasten to a pole. It was primarily used to tie oxen together (usually two); the older ox had its yoke and the younger had its yoke.
The Divine Self
Many look outside of themselves for an experience of the Divine. Many turn to religions.
Psalms For Prosperity
The psalms of the Bible are a literary treasure chest of prayers for prosperity. Below is a list of which psalms to recite for common financial requests.
Nurturing Your Spirit
Do you ever wonder about the other "YOU ?"The one that speaks to you quietly, the one
that helps you find inspiration. It is in your
spirit that the feeling of love and peace reign
supreme.
|