Love Them Still

Since I was a young boy, and throughout my adult life, I have been intrigued by the concept of efficiency.  I saw elegance in the execution of any task in the minimal number of steps with the least amount of wasted energy, materials and time.  Sometimes, I’d drive family members or co-workers crazy with my frequent suggestions that perhaps it could be done better this way, or maybe you could save a step here if you just did this.

As an efficiency aficionado – say that five times fast – I might have had some thoughts for the sower in today’s passage.  Couldn’t you figure out how to keep that seed on the good ground?  Why waste it on the road or among the rocks and the thorns?  Of course, he didn’t have today’s technology and placing seeds by hand one-by-one in neat little furrows may have saved some seeds, but would have taken forever.  The field may never have gotten planted, and how would that have fed the family?  I guess I would have made a pretty poor farmer in Jesus’ day, sacrificing effectiveness on the altar of efficiency.

In a sense, this is what Jesus is telling me today.  He gives me an infinite and endless supply of his love, seeds for the world.  I am to spread this love as he loves me – unconditionally and extravagantly.  I am not to worry about wasting his love – after all it’s an infinite, endless supply.  I will never run out.

 

Certainly, he tells me, at times when you love another, it will seem to have no impact at all.  The person you loved will not love you in return, may even hate you, scorn you, or persecute you for your love.  Love them still.

Other times, your love may cause someone to stop and reconsider, perhaps even smile or at otherwise appreciate your love in some small way.  Yet the following day, nothing has changed, they’ve even forgotten your name.  Love them still.

Still other times, your love may seem to affect someone deeply.  They sense that something is different about this selfless, service-love.  They may even try it themselves.  Things go well for a time, but time or distance takes its toll and draws them away from love.  Little has changed.  Love them still.

Finally, there will be times, Jesus tells me, perhaps not often, but there will be times when your love transforms another.  They recognize your love as God’s great love working through you.  They give glory to God and eagerly share that same love with others, who, in turn, share their enthusiasm and pay it forward.  Hundreds, if not thousands, of lives are changed.

Rejoice, and be glad…and love them still.