My daughter humbled me recently. She said “ Dad, I have made a saying: A good Family argues well, and a great ​family reconciles well.” Quite profound for a 10 year old! And very true.

Arguing well is not about winning an argument, but both people walking away feeling heard and respected. It ​made me think how often I want to win rather than resolve. It also made me reflect on our relationships outside the ​home as well.

Loving and praying for your enemies is one of the most challenging aspects of Christian life. It’s natural to care for ​those who care for us in return, to show kindness to those who are kind to us, and to love and forgive those who ​love us back. However, the true test of our character and faith comes when we are called to extend that same love ​and compassion to those who oppose us, who hurt us, or who simply don’t see eye to eye with us.

Love needs to be one directional.

More and more I’m learning Jesus’s teachings go beyond the easy and comfortable aspects of love. He calls us to a ​higher standard, one that requires us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace a love that is unconditional ​and universal. This kind of love is not based on the other person’s actions or behavior but rather on the principle ​that every person is deserving of love and kindness, simply because they are children of God.

Praying for someone you don’t get along with can be one of the hardest things to do. When we pray, we are ​essentially seeking the best for that person, asking God to bless them, to guide them, and to show them His love ​and grace. This can go against our flesh, especially when that person has caused us pain or suffering. Pastor Luis ​has always taught me that love and mercy should always come first. When we do this, we are practicing the ​radical love that Jesus demonstrated throughout His life. We are choosing to let go of bitterness, anger, and ​resentment, and instead, allow God’s love to flow through us.

Jesus’s command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us is not just a moral guideline; it is a ​transformative, life-changing practice. It changes us from the inside out, softening our hearts and opening us to ​the possibility of reconciliation, healing, and peace. This kind of love has the power to break down barriers, to ​heal wounds, and to bring about true and lasting change in our lives and the lives of others.

While it may not be easy, loving and praying for our enemies is an expression of our faith in God’s love and mercy. ​It’s a way of living out the Gospel, embodying the love of Christ, and showing the world a glimpse of God’s ​kingdom here on earth- and a slice of Heaven at Home

Is there someone you can extend an olive branch to this week? Blessed are the Peacemakers.

A Personal Reflection on Last Sunday's Sermon “When God Seems Late”

“But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” – John 11:22

TRUST GOD. Two words I have had THE longest journey with. Pastor Luis Brito’s sermon last Sunday was a reminder of these very familiar words and my ​complicated relationship with it. I realised the seasons that have had the biggest impact on me have been the ‘waiting’ seasons. We have all experienced ​moments of joy and moments of sadness, but it is those moments in between the mountain top and the valley that can feel hard. Waiting seasons means ​facing uncertainty, it feels uncomfortable, it feels like I want to hold onto something but even that seems unstable. I feel anxious. Why does ‘trusting’ feel ​hard? Even though I apparently know God, why is it in those moments I question His existence or ability to be in control? There were two lies that I have ​had to confront for me to really grasp hold of the joy and peace that comes from trusting God. The first is about my relationship with trust and the ​second is about my understanding of WHO God is:

1. My relationship with Trust: If you have had your trust broken by people who loved you and you felt safe with. Then that could be a factor in influencing ​how you trust God. I have realised in my human nature I have allowed my fears around trusting people influence me. The hurt caused in my past due to ​disappointment, betrayal, uncertainty, and doubt have created some unhealthy patterns of self-protection that seems to be getting in the way of how I ​trust God. Being let down by people we are supposed to trust is something we all navigate because we are human. We are all work in progress. ​Understanding this help us extend compassion and mercy to all. But ultimately those moments should lead us to the ONE who we can trust. GOD – ​Unconditional, stable, consistent, and perfect.
2. My understanding of WHO God is: In our ‘waiting’ seasons; it is almost a mandatory requirement to remember in WHOM our trust lies. It is NOT in people ​or circumstances. It is in the Creator of Heaven and Earth, He is Faithful, He is Good, He never fails, He is the beginning and the end, He is love, He is ​Joy, He is Peace, He is Truth, and I could go on and on about our God (Just open the Bible). I was reminded recently to focus on moments when God ​has come through and the miracles we seem to easily overlook. The enemy will always get us to focus on lack and distract us from the Truth of who ​God is but like Pastor Luis said you cannot fight or solve a spiritual problem in our own mind or physically (e.g., keeping busy and hoping it’ll get better) ​but you solve spiritual problems in a spiritual way. Standing strong on the truth of WHO God is in those seasons of ‘waiting’ – knowing that we do not ​have to carry the burden of disappointment, uncertainty, fear, or doubt. GOD is in control, and He will come through for you and me.
   

Father God, you know me; you know my heart; you know my past and my future. Regardless of the season I am in – You are GOD and you are in control. ​You know the desires of my heart and even now you will come through for me. AMEN.

By Christabel Joy Seneviratne

Watch or Listen to Pastor Luis’s Sermon “When God Seems Late” on our webpage: remaraustralia.org or visit our Facebook page

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