When I am hiking and I come to a particularly steep section of a trail, I often take a picture to remember the challenges of the terrain. I love hiking, but hills like this one test my endurance. I stop often and it seems to me that I will not make it to the top, let alone back to the car at the end of the walk.
This is how I feel when God asks me to love my enemies. “You have to be kidding me,” I think. For me, loving my enemies is a Herculean task, and I will have to admit that I am only about midway up the trail. My heart is beating heavy in my chest and I am not certaiin I will make it back to the car!
For the parent of LGBTQ kids the enemy is everywhere. The present government is the enemy of our kids’ well-being. Basic rights are threatened and they are being targeted. It is difficult to tolerate anything about those very public enemies.
Our enemies are sometimes in our churches, in the guise of righteous people who are following the guidance they have been given. They turn that knowledge into a sharp stick, poking and prodding. Loving those who persecute me inside the church is a daunting task.
Today’s reading is from Matthew (5:43-48). Jesus says, “I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” This is a difficult road to walk on, and often I find myself stalled out.
Luckily, I am not on this journey alone, and I hope you aren’t either. I have my husband and children, and good friends and family to support me. When I am stuck, I am encouraged by one of them. I know, too, that God is beside me always. He is there with me when I become faint of heart.
Even if I am not back at the car yet on this one, it is okay to stop and rest. I take strength from those God has placed in my life and I know that it may take a lifetime to scale this height.
Dear Lord, I find it difficult to love my enemies. Help me along the way. Send loving people to accompany me up this mountain. Bring me your Peace.
Amen
The Last Lap (and what comes next) 