When I started reading a book called True Spirituality by Francis A. Schaeffer, I was convicted as I read the following:

God called us to love, and not only for those who are in our little portion of God’s church, or even for all our fellow Christians, but love for all people, unbelievers as well as believers. Schaeffer saw that there was, at this time, a tendency to minimize the challenge of the parable of the Good Samaritan, and to focus the love of Christians on those who are fighting alongside us in the Lord’s battles. He then went on to say: We face the same problem today, for the more secularized and “post -Christian” our society becomes, the greater temptation is to love only our fellow believers who are fighting by our side in the “culture wars.” We retreat from the command to love all people as we consider those outside the church as too worldly, as too dangerous to our spiritual well-being. Rather than love them, we feel constrained to keep ourselves seperate from them, to strive for purity of being uncontaminiated by having no contact with the “sinners” out there. But, as Schaeffer points out, this is not the kind of purity that God’s Word has in mind fo us. The Lord calls us to love all people, including those who are enemies of the gospel and those who blaspheme. This may not be comfortable, and it may not be easy, but this is the gospel of Christ, for He loved His enemies so much that He died to save us.

I was convicted to the core of my inner most being. Just looking back on the events of today I saw so many opportunities where I could have reached out and yet I chose to keep my silence, to keep to myself, to keep safe. Why is it so hard to do what God commands of us? Loving all God’s people shouldn’t be that difficult, but it is. Not as an excuss by far, but I grew up shy and an introvert, so for me to walk up to someone and start a random conversation is completely uncomfortable for me. I over analyze everything and I second guess myself constantly. I trust God and I am thankful for his grace and mercy He shows me because I quite often need to ask for forgiveness it seems. No matter how far I think I’ve grown I inevitably take ten steps back. Most likely because when I feel like I have my head on straight, that’s when I take my focus off of God and I make unwise decisions and my sinful nature comes creaping in.

My prayer to God.
Please help me to be focused on you at all times. I ask that you would continue to bless me with knowledge and wisdom so that I may always have your words on my lips. Give me the boldness to speak to friends, family and strangers and may I never feel ashamed to share your Word. I also pray that with your example, I too may be able to love with a pure heart. I desire to love as you loved and not withhold it because I am afraid, stubborn, blinded, lazy and/or judgemental. I want to have a heart of compassion for all because you have commanded it from me. Soften my heart towards those whom I may not interact with on an everyday basis. Let my intentions be pure and let me conversations be fruitful and encouraging. Lastly I ask that you would help me to be obedient to your Word. Amen

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