Last week I talked about how learning to love the way God wants us to love is similar to learning to fly a plane. There is a certain amount of book learning involved, but one on one instruction is essential. We need God to teach us how to love the way He calls us to love. We can’t do this on our own.
The first step of learning to love is to experience that love for ourselves. When we start to grasp how very much God loves us, and to soak in that love, we have a reference point. A standard. His challenge to us is to love others in the same way He loves us.
The second step in learning to love is to accept our role as a student, and God’s role as our teacher. And if we don’t, it can be a painful, slow experience. I love these verses from Psalm 32:
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you. Psalm 32:8-9
It’s our choice. Do we want God to instruct us? Then we need to be willing to follow that instruction. If not, we might find ourselves dragged around like a stubborn mule. When we are fully engaged in the learning process, God will teach us all kinds of things. Our skill in loving others will grow exponentially.
Being a student is humbling, because it requires that we admit that we are ignorant, and have something to learn. To choose to do something the new way, instead of “how we’ve always done it.” It requires effort, focus, humility. And commitment. If we ask, God will happily help us to learn how to love people the way He loves them. But it is up to us to seek Him out, and be willing to accept His instruction.
So pay close attention to what He is teaching you. Ask questions. Practice. Follow the instructions you believe He is giving you. He will instruct you and teach you in the way of love, which is always the way He wants you to go.
Are you ready to learn from the best about how to love others?
Humble yourself in the eyes of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Leave a Reply