Learning to Live a Life of Love

Today I read a post called Even if it Hurts Like Hell and was reminded of the pain and the suffering that can accompany life, especially a life following the one who created us. Sometimes, He calls us to a life that requires sacrifice and suffering. It’s not always going to be pretty or happy-go-lucky. There will be times that it hurts like hell. There will be times that the way life is going seems less than ideal. Maybe it means cutting that one person out of your life that is constantly bring you down. Maybe it is breaking up with a boy who challenges you to become a lesser version of yourself when he should really be challenging you to become the best version of yourself possible. Maybe it is choosing to give up of your own time, your time set aside to watch Netflix, whatever it may be, to go eat lunch with that girl who is a little irritating but needs a friend. That is the kind of life that we as Christians are called to. It’s not always going to be pretty. There will be sacrifice that is involved. But that’s the thing. The life that God calls us to might be painful at time. Heck, it might even hurt like hell, but it is worth it. The eternal joy that a life of suffering can bring is far more valuable than the temporary happiness of a mediocre life dedicated to chasing one’s own pleasures. Because at the end of the day, it is not about the here or the now. That’s not to say that the here and the now are not important, but there are things far more important than one’s temporary satisfaction. The eternal impact that we leave on this world and on the souls of others is what truly matters. Because at the end of it all, it won’t matter if you got to watch that latest episode on Netflix or whether you had to do your roommate’s dishes. What matters at the end is the impact, the difference that you made within the hearts of others. Will you tell of judgement or selfishness or greed? Or will you tell of a God who loves more than one can fathom? Will you leave a story of love upon their hearts? Will you tell a tale of grace? What mark will you leave? It all comes down to the choices that you make and the kind of life that you choose to lead. Will you learn to live a life that speaks of love even if it sometimes hurts like hell?