If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:46-47)

It’s nice to be nice to the nice.

–Maj. Frank Burns, M.A.S.H. 4077

Beloved, let’s face it–some people are easy to love, and some are not.  We are called by the Lord of the Universe to love them all.

Period

It’s not the way I would have designed it, which it yet another in the ever-increasing pile of reasons to be glad I’m not God.

But consider, Beloved, that if God chose only to love those who were lovable, you and I (mostly I) would be ever so deeply doomed.

We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

I would pray that God would give you many opportunities to love unlovable people today, but then you might come for me and hurt me.  Then I would have to love you when you are being unlovable, and it would all get messy.  How ‘bout this: I pray that God grants you the grace to show His love to everyone he brings your way today.  Does that work for you?

It works for him.

Happy Friday, Beloved.