DAY 3 // VISION TO LOVE PEOPLE

PAUL JOHNSON – LIVING HOPE CHURCH IN ROCHESTER, MN

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“The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:39 (CSB)

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I don’t really love people very much… I am an introvert with a critical attitude that can be sarcastic… I am not the life of the party…

However, I know from numerous Bible passages that I’m supposed to care for those around me. This includes everyone from the homeless guy on the corner to the neighbor living next to me. This includes everyone from those in prison to the fatherless and widows. Then you get into all the verses for the church and see the direct commands to look out for them, guard them, sacrifice for them, be patient with them, and put their interests ahead of your own. It all piles up.

But, what if I don’t want to?

If I really don’t want to then I don’t want the things of God. It’s as simple as that.

Ok, so if I DO want the things of God. What now?

I need to cultivate a heart for people so that I really do care about those around me.

I cultivate this attitude through knowing the heart of God in His word. I read the verses. I memorize the verses. I meditate on the verses – rolling them around in my mind. I share the verses with other people. I return to the verses. I know God’s heart for people because I have made myself preoccupied with it.

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“The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 (CSB)

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I also work on this attitude by praying about it. I ask God to melt my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh so I can feel. I ask God for His attitude toward His lost sheep. I pray for emotional endurance to feel for people longer than I have in the past. I stretch my heart in prayer. I pray for people individually and have an app on my phone that reminds me each morning to pray for people.

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“If my head were a flowing spring, my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night over the slain of my dear people.”

Jeremiah 9:1 (CSB)

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Finally, I make myself be with people and listen to them. People are messy and it takes patience in order to connect with them. However, when I know what’s going on in their life I can feel empathy and put myself in their place. Doing this loops me back into the heart of God in His word and in prayer.

I have had to do this for a long, long time and I can tell you that it works.

I love people… I may not love them as much as I should, but I discipline myself to work toward it.

This is God’s heart for me as He makes me more like Himself.

This is God’s heart towards others as I get to be His hands, feet, and heart toward those that I run into every day.

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God wants you to love people. Do it little by little and you will love more and more.

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