Shower the people

"Shower the people you love with love; Show them the way you feel; Things are gonna be much better if you only will" (James Taylor).

I heard this old song today and it brought back memories of singing along with it on the radio. But today it occurred to me that you could almost summarize the whole gospel in this song. Isn't this what following Jesus is all about? Following Jesus means showering people with love....

Well, this song *almost* says it all. But Jesus goes miles and miles further: "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you."

Love your enemies. Wow.

I don't think Jesus is necessarily (or merely) talking about far away enemies, rogue nations, terrorists--although we should indeed love them and pray for them too. But I think Jesus is MORE concerned about those "enemies" in our own communities; those "jerks" who always seem to get under your skin. Yes, THOSE enemies.

It's only possible in the power of the Spirit; with a "new heart" within us. It's a matter of attitude, I think.

Here is Eugene Peterson's translation of Jesus words: "You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty...."

Shower the people you love with love. And shower the people who seem unlovable with love too. This is what God does.