Love your neighbors

For the past few days, I have reflected on what happened during a conversation with my childhood friend whose relationship has strained in the past few years. She (who will be called Sue) left me a instant message on my MSN Messenger while I was browsing the web with one question that almost snapped me:

I am going to ask you for the last time... when will you send me a graduation picture with both of us?!

Just to let you know, I have a history of pulling things off until somebody forces me to do it at that moment (but trust me, my readers... I'm not as bad as it might seem... it only happens infrequently). Sadly, this happens to be the case this time, but for a long time, I have always assumed that my mother already send her mother the picture of our graduation a bit after her college started.

Fuming with a growing sense of frustration, I almost lashed out at her that night. For several months, I attempted to be nice with her but only received "What do you want," "Get to the point of this conversation" instead of a simple and cheerful "I'm doing good... how about you?" Instead of letting my mouth fly out of control, I composed myself for a few moments and responded with a simple but cheerful "Hello :)" before starting to tell her about how I observed Suefrom the past month based on her conversations with me.

You know... I could have abandoned you a long time ago. I could have removed you from my e-mail address book, blocked you from being able to send me e-mails and blocked you from all of my messaging systems, thereby blocking you out of my life... but I didn't because it is not what Jesus would have done. He never turned away anybody during his life.

There was a long silence before she finally responded with a response (roughly rephrased based on my memory), "I don't want to throw away our friendship down the drain, but after taking some classes with you, you proved to me that you existed to be my competitor. I think my actions have proved it to you" and "I have thought about what you have said to me about how you cared for me, but, ever since u became 'spiritual person,' you seem to be forced into embracing everybody."

Oh, I was never forced in embracing anybody... I chose to. Just as I chose to believe in Christ, I chose to embrace you not only because I care about you but also because I want to imitate Christ as closely as possible. What will it require from me to get through your thick head to make you realize that I CARE ABOUT YOU???

The words "I care about you" stuck in my mind for a long time. This was the last thing I would expect myself to tell somebody who have expressed hatred and jealousy. This stands in contradiction with my human nature and I couldn't stop thinking, "I didn't know what I just said... it seems like it is not who I am speaking, but the indwelling Holy Spirit is."

If you love Lord your God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength, then nothing else matters in your life except for serving God and pleasing Him. Isn't it odd... the whole world craves for true love, but when we discover who the True Love is, they reject it? Isn't it odd... when people desire to be loved by others, but when Christians express their love to their enemies, they only reap hatred?

I have come to a realization today. If you do truly love God and are willing to surrender everything in your life just to serve Him... miracles happen. Just as Jesus told his disciples, "All authority is given to me in Heaven. Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations..." Matthew 28:18-19 (emphasis added), Jesus tells us to go and spread the Good News to everybody. Jesus did give us a warning that if we deny His name before other people, then Jesus will deny us before his Father. Our faith is a very rewarding one, but not without consequences. There will be presecution, hatred, insulting remarks, and every kinds of evil, but do not fear, my friends, for they hate Christ, not us.

Surrender everything and start loving others. Imitate Christ. Let your light shine in the world brightly. You will make a difference in someone's life.