Steadfast part 2
I think this memory verse says what I'm trying to say: "There it was--the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person" (John 1:9 AMP). The genuine, perfect, steadfast light that illuminates every person. That's God. That's love. A love that never fails. A love that endures. A love that we can depend on. Jesus referred to both Himself and us as the light of the world. Because it is one light. HIS light of life. His light of LOVE. He is steadfast, and that's why we can be steadfast. I know that I focus on the releasing aspect of receiving and releasing. Because love is giving. Because we are blessed to be a blessing. But the receiving aspect is just as important. Because you can't give what you don't have. And you can only give what you do have. So you have to KNOW what you have. You have to be able to draw on it, if I can say it that way. Remember one of my favorite verses? About how when the people wanted to stone David and he strengthened himself in the Lord. When you need it... there's nothing more important than that break glass in case of emergency ever present help in time of trouble. Being able to run TO God instead of running FROM Him. Knowing that no matter what we get ourselves into, His love for us is steadfast. It never changes. Never wavers. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Nothing. And that blessed assurance is what allows--what equips and empowers us--to stop separating from each other. Now, let me say this: Some people you NEED to separate from. Some people you NEED to love from a distance. Because no matter how much you love them... a bad situation is a bad situation. And no father (especially not your heavenly Father) ever wants his child to be in a bad situaiton. Toxic people are no good. Period. So, again, you can still love them... but from a distance. You don't have to let them affect you and ruin your life. Love isn't about letting people abuse you. Love is about giving what you've got. And when you give what you've got it's either enough... or it's not. And either way you've done what you can do. Being steadfast in love doesn't mean steadfastly letting people use and abuse you. Turning the other cheek means not retalitating, not standing there and letting people slap you over and over and over. If someone isn't picking up what you're laying down... shrug your shoulders and move on. Sometimes people are a blessing in your life. And sometimes people are a lesson. That doesn't mean you stop loving. When you really understand who steadfast, and perfect, and genuine God's love for us is... you CAN'T stop loving people. It flows out of you. Naturally. His love for you is steadfast, and it fills you up to overflowing so that your love for Him (which is expressed by you loving people) can be steadfast. It's an unstoppable Holy Ghost wildfire that burns out of control. Totally consuming everything and everyone in its (His) path. Burning away everything else and leaving nothing but itself (Himself)!