Some people are not lovable. I know because I’m one of them. I am impatient, selfish, easily annoyed by interruptions, and cranky when plans change. It doesn’t help that I have severe ADHD, learning challenges, and don’t hear well. Truthfully, we all have differences . . . some lovely, some not so lovely. Part of being human and broken means that loving one another has little to do with our feelings and everything to do with our choices. Having a son with disabilities reveals much about this fact. Truth be told, I wish all people would spend time with the disabled because they teach us about love in its purest form.
Some Reminders from Scripture
So how can we choose to love others? Let’s begin with God’s enduring love for fractured, willful, and difficult human beings. Because of sin, humanity is disabled. Yet God loves without condition, based not on what we can do or be but on His gift of grace. Psalms 100, 106, 107, 117, 118, and 136 remind us that God’s love endures forever.
As Christians, we are called to love as Christ loves us.
- Romans 12:10 commands, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (NIV).
- Ephesians 5:2 says, “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (NIV).
- Hebrews 13:1 exhorts us to “Keep on loving one another” (NIV).
- And 1 Corinthians 13 reveals many attributes of love in action . . . love is patient, kind, honoring, protecting, trusting, and persevering.
How Can We Respond?
The question is not whether people—disabled or not—are lovable. It is whether or not we will choose to love as Christ loves us. Through loving my son, Jon, in spite of his array of challenges, I have learned that as I give myself away, God’s love fills my soul. Jesus Christ came to this earth, gave up His life for us, and His love abounds toward us. I made a simple list of some ways we can put love into action.
“I Love You” in Action
- Say I’m sorry.
- Let go of the past.
- Seek to understand.
- Tell the truth.
- Be kind.
- Look for ways to help.
- Say all the words “I love you” often.
- Laugh together.
- Keep your promises.
- Overlook weaknesses.
- Say thank you.
- Affirm a loved one’s value in private and in public.
- Quit keeping score.
- Value effort over accomplishment.
Let Me Hear from You
Remember, love is giving without any expectation of return or reward. I would be delighted to hear how these ideas have affected your life.