“Keep on loving one another as brothers and
sisters.” Hebrews 13: 1 NIV
When I read this verse, I am struck by the
fact that many people today don’t experience familial love. How sad it is to
hear of parents splitting up and one parent gradually fading from their
children’s lives. How sad it is to have people express surprise that a couple
of siblings could be happily sharing a home. God wants family to be a haven
where there is acceptance and love. From the beginning in Genesis, God wanted
people to live harmoniously in families but due to rebellion and jealousy even
the first family experienced discord and violence. Today, we have so much
mental illness due to stress and loneliness. Pills and psychotherapy are held
out as the solution but wouldn’t affection and inclusion work even better?
My church family hurts me at times but I
need to remember that God wants me to forgive and love the church members as
though they were my biological family. The witness of the church to the world
is only as strong as the love that we show to each other. I pray that I will strive to be kind and
understanding to my brothers and sisters in Christ remembering always my many
weaknesses and failings. Lord, help us to love.
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