Christian

Can We Really Love Like Jesus?

Cindy Dawson

God’s Word says we must love like Jesus. Is that even possible? How do we do that? As I searched this out, I came across something that was very helpful. I want to share it with you.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Dr. Les Parrott, in his book, Love Like That, describes “5 Actionable Ways to Love Like Jesus”.

  • Be mindful. We need to connect more deeply with our lives and the people in them, rather than living a detached, disconnected existence.
  • Be approachable. It’s important for people to feel safe approaching us; in other words, we must become less exclusive in our interactions with others and more welcoming to those who seek us out.
  • Be full of grace. We must be willing to relate to others in a less judgmental way.
  • Be bold. We have to shed our fears, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV).
  • Be self-giving. We need to become less self-absorbed and more invested in those around us.

These guidelines helped me immensely, especially the first, “Be Mindful”. I am quiet and somewhat shy. I guess that’s why I like to write. It’s the easiest way for me to share my thoughts with others.

Over 40 years ago someone said to me, “You’re really nice. I used to think you were a snob.” I will never forget those words. They are imprinted on my brain forever. I was so shocked that anyone would think that about me!

As I look back on my life, I can see why someone might think that. I’m quiet and don’t readily express what I’m thinking. I may have something helpful to share in a conversation, but keep it to myself. I think this is because I’m afraid of what they will think. (But we’ll save that for another post!)

Dr. Parrott encourages us to connect more deeply with people rather than living a detached existence. It is so easy to become detached when you are shy, especially if you have found an outlet like writing to fill your need for expression. Honestly, I thought this was just the way it is and would always be. But now, I believe God is doing something new in me.

As I shared these thoughts with my daughter Christina, she reminded me that the world needs listeners as well as talkers. (I hadn’t really thought of that!) She told me that I am a good listener.

I share that because it’s easy to get down on yourself and see all your weaknesses and faults. Don’t do that. God loves you and knows you very well. Trust Him to make you the person He wants you to be, a person more like Christ.

I am going to pray that I become more mindful and more involved in the lives of persons I see on a regular basis as well as the ones I don’t. This won’t be easy for me, but I plan to give consideration to how I can become more involved in other lives. Then I plan to take specific steps to accomplish my goal.

By doing this, I hope to learn how to love like Jesus. Won’t you join me in this quest?

With Love, Cindy

P.S. The photo is of my daughter, Christina, who spent 6 months last year working at a children’s hospital in Africa.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

31 thoughts on “Can We Really Love Like Jesus?”

  1. Thank you for this checklist for our walk with God in our life. I like you am a bit quiet, and had a similar situation to yours some years ago when out of nowhere someone accused me of “being aloof” which shocked me. It stayed with me all these years causing me to be more careful how I may appear to others.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks for sharing that, Alan. I feel better already! I guess we should learn from this that if we think someone is aloof or stuck-up, maybe they are just shy. Maybe, God created them to be a listener. Blessing, Brother!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    2. Same happened to me. I went home, arranged my face into what felt “normal,” and looked in a mirror. Another shock! No wonder people thought I wasn’t approachable. God taught me a good lesson, and He’s still teaching me.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

        1. I had a scowly face, and I didn’t even know it until I saw it in the mirror with my own eyes. I had to practice having either a neutral or smiling face. Funny thing to think about having to practice that, but I didn’t know what I looked like to others before that happened. God showed me that I had to reflect Him in my outward appearance.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

          1. Oh! That’s pretty funny! I’d better look in the mirror myself! At least with these masks people can’t really see us at all. But then, they can’t see our smiles either! Thanks for explaining. God bless you, Kathy!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

  2. The world needs both listeners and talkers – I like that.
    And you are so right when you say that for someone who is shy it is easy to remain in their own little world when they find writing as an expression- I feel that is sometimes true for me. God has been nudging me step out more.
    Blessings Cindy 💙

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. Hi Cindy, I can remember when I was much younger and attending a young Christian adult retreat for a weekend and the person who was conducting the seminar was asking us questions. After about five minutes he stopped me and asked me if I minded that someone else might answer. Funny how the that works. I try to be a lot quieter now and listen more than I speak. Contributing but not dominating, is my general rule of thumb. And yes, I’m still working on that one at times too! God’s blessings to you and yours!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. It really is amazing to see the different personalities that God has given each of us. Giving each other, and ourselves, grace to be who God created us to be is so important. Thank you for this very wise advice, and for your example of stepping out of your comfort zone. Blessings, Cindy!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I can so relate to what you said here, Cindy. I can remember a dear friend sharing with me that she had once thought I was a snob when we rode the bus together. I was the extremely shy kid who sat quietly looking out the window and found it hard to talk with people. I could write it down better, but we didn’t have texting back then, nor cell phones or even a landline phone in our house. But when we started riding our bicycles together in the neighborhood, we became close friends. I’ve come a long way since then. Jesus is still working on me!
    I loved the song you shared! I have never heard of them. I want to love like Jesus! Always! Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Interesting that you were thought to be a snob, when you were just shy. That should be a warning to the rest of us not to assume the worst and to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
    As an outgoing, talkative person, I appreciate the listeners! ❤ But often I leave a conversation getting down on myself for talking too much! You who would rather listen, you can make us talkers feel better with an occasional question. That keeps us going (if you really want to hear more!) and helps us know that you are interested. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. One shy lady to another, I thank you for this, dear Cindy. I, too, find my best expression in the written word. In person, and oftentimes, even on a phone call, I find myself tongue-tied, though I must add this is really only with other adults. With the youth I minister to, I am all right. I think it comes of a deep solidarity and empathy for the struggles of that age, whereas other adults I always feel much more intimidated by, as if they can see right through any pulled together facade I might have to the numerous insecurities and inadequacies inside. I know much of this comes from the abuses of my past that it seems I am ever working through. Between all that and my increasing joint difficulties, I have many ready reasons not to venture out much beyond volunteering with youth once a week or so. But, I have been pondering more and more if I have allowed myself to grow comfortable in my interior world and what I could potentially bring to sharing with others. At any rate, something to be in prayer for. Thank you again for bringing up a very relatable issue. Keeping you in prayer, dear friend. Blessings!❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Like you, I am quite comfortable with children. I presently teach young children at Sunday night church. I also taught elementary and some middle school for 22 years in the public schools. I’m so glad this ministered to you. I pray that God will help us both to break out a little in order to “love like Jesus”. Blessings, Mrs.M!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment