Glory in the Morning

 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV

News Flash! I was not the most popular girl in school. Over many shy years as a child, I learned to fade into the background for the better part of each school day. By the time I reached high school, I had it down. I would be quiet and keep to myself in class, so no one would talk to me. It was easier that way because I didn’t fit in with them, so why try to force something that wasn’t meant to be? You may wonder why I didn’t even try…

Because they laughed at me. One of them called me a “fool” one day and the whole class laughed. That sealed the deal. I didn’t need friends like that.

Because they rejected me. I didn’t party. I didn’t cuss or drink or wear designer clothes or even do a popular school sport, except I did marching band and that was for nerds. (But what fun nerds!)

Because they called me “stuck up.” They labeled me because I was too quiet. I labeled them back, but in my head. If they were going to judge me and label me, then I would do the same back. (Now where in the Bible is that okay? Nowhere! I was acting our of hurt.)

This is NOT a pity party. I am over those years and am thankful for them, actually! I choose to remember the good times. I had some great friends in high school. Although I only saw them once a day, at lunch, those were happy times at the lunch table. I fit in. We all fit together! (It was just the REST of the day that I kind of kept my head down and muddled through.) Thinking back on those years makes me appreciate our Savior so much more and what He went through. He was fully God, fully man. He must have hurt like a human does, when they are rejected by others, especially because He loved the people who were doing it. That thought humbles me. No comparison to my childhood years , right? It’s just that it makes me wonder how He felt, the Son of God being picked on!

Jesus was rejected, laughed at, called names, spit on, hurt, abused, crucified, but never changed His course of love! As always, He is our example. He loved those who were mean to Him, who mocked Him! He not only said He loved them. He forgave them and took action on that love; He made a way to give us eternal life! I sure didn’t love people who picked on me. I definitely judged them and hated them…until I realized Jesus was not happy with me doing that and they probably had their own hurts. Hating them solved nothing.

Another thing that helped me see the light… God’s Word showed me that love is not conditional. If I love God, I will love others. Period. It is not If I love God and others love me, THEN I will love them back. We are meant to love DESPITE others’ actions. I think it’s okay to not like what they do, but love that the Lord can get us through and He can take care of their actions, not us. I definitely judged them and that was wrong. God loves them very much. Love is a pure thing from God. It cannot be impure.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Cor. 13:4-5 NIV

With love from our Father to you, have a great day! God truly loves you! So do I!

Christina