Love Your Enemies
This is oh so hard for me! I do not know anyone who does not have someone that drives them crazy. For me, it is a person with whom I work. Because I transferred from another office and because I will not buy into the “our culture is different here” mantra, I am the traitor, the enemy, the bad guy.
I am his manager. Yet, each day he comes into the office and ignores me. He speaks to me only when necessary and when he does so, he talks down to me. He bad mouths me to others every chance he gets. Instead of being angry and trying to demand respect, I pray for him. Why you ask would I pray for him? I don’t pray that ill will befall him; I don’t pray he lets go of his anger; I don’t even pray that he finds a new job.
Instead, I pray for God’s peace on him.
Praying for him, may or may not change him.
Praying for him does change me. By turning the situation over to Christ through my prayers, I can let go not only of the situation, but also of the resulting tension I hold in my body. Work is a much more pleasant place. And, I don’t go home and whine to my husband. This would only serve to bring me down and anger my husband since he cannot fix the problem for me. Selfishly, praying allows me to feel good about myself knowing I am doing as the Lord commands – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matt 5:44
In the end, I believe my prayers will change both of us. We will probably never be friends and that’s okay. I can be, however, an example of Christ’s love for all His children.
Just for Today, show love to everyone – including those who refuse to show love to you.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend – MLK
– PSG –
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