Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32
Lord Jesus, what a challenging and timely verse. By your grace, tenderize these hearts of ours. No matter the trigger, setting, or provocation, you call us to respond with kindness. Not as doormats to be walked on; but with the security and strength of foot-washers (John 13). It’s always about loving others as you love us.
We so look forward to the Day when we’ll see you as you really are, Jesus, and will be made like you—perfected in love (1 John 3:1-1). Speaking for myself, it’s hard to imagine a Day is coming when I’ll never get impatient or irritated again—never react out of insecurity, hurt feelings, or fear.
I’ll only speak to bless and encourage, never to harm, defend myself, or “win.” I’ll think with your heart, see with your mercy, speak with your grace, and love with your love. I’m sure many of my friends in this prayer-posse, long for the same wholeness and beauty.
So, until that Day, Jesus, make your love for us the most satisfying, tangible, liberating reality in our lives. We live in an hour when that wouldn’t just be nice, but increasingly necessary. Grant us big grace. So very Amen we pray, in your great and gracious name.
