Christian Prayer Room

[Ranb2khz]

Fully Human

As a child, I was often alone because my father died when I was a baby and my mother worked to provide for us. It was very hard. During one period, Uncle Jack came over early in the mornings to comb my hair and cook my breakfast since my mother was already at work. These actions of a caring man were so important to a lonely and frightened child that I still remember them after many years. And Uncle Jack continued his loving acts later in life — when my mother became elderly, he moved to Atlanta to care for her.

By that time, I was an adult. I profoundly loved my uncle and appreciated all he did. But he couldn’t accept that. When I tried to express my love, he would just reject it and walk away, puzzled. Relationships can get stuck in places like this. As much as he tenderly cared for others, Uncle Jack had a wound that prevented him from accepting love in return. So our connection was stunted, and he couldn’t enjoy much of the happiness God had for him. But I wouldn’t give up.

I kept praying and sharing my love for this wonderful man. And one day when I said, “Jack, I just love you,” he finally said, “Charles, I love you too.” What a glorious moment of God’s grace and power, working through two people to bring joy to their hearts while shining His light in the world! From that time on, Uncle Jack became a totally different person. He allowed himself to accept the love and respect of others, and our relationship grew by leaps and bounds. What’s more, God used the experience to grow my own heart in amazing ways.

One of the most rewarding — and challenging — things we can do on this earth is to love other people. I don’t mean just the silent positivity you might feel toward someone, or a sense of affection. Though that’s part of it, the foundation of loving others is something even greater: love as action. Jesus expressed this when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Of course, He was hinting at His own sacrifice on the cross. But these words of our Lord show that real love includes selfless acts for the good of others. And not out of resentful duty, but from tender concern.

Are all relationships about this kind of love? If you are Christian, yes, absolutely. For us who believe in Jesus Christ, “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). It’s meant to overflow to the world around us, blessing and healing others while glorifying Christ and honoring our heavenly Father. We’re called to love those God puts in our lives, whether they return it or not. Sometimes you might discover the safest way to love someone is by creating distance. But every relationship will benefit when we proceed wisely and humbly — by examining ourselves, relying on God, and trusting His ways.

Are you ready to explore and develop this essential part of life? You won’t regret it. Whoever and wherever you are, I’m sure that you have lots of relationships, possibly more than you realize. Each human connection you have is ultimately an opportunity to love that, ideally, can bring joy and satisfaction to everyone involved. But it can take work to get there, and sometimes years. In fact, all relationships — even the best ones — can continually develop and improve. This book was created to help you on that journey.

Isolation and loneliness are the cause of so much suffering in this world. We’re made to relate to one another, and when a relationship is wise and flourishing, God can perform works in and through it that are mighty indeed.

God bless you as you set out, with His grace, to make all your relationships healthier, stronger, and more joyful.

Ready to get started? Order your free workbook today.

https://www.intouch.org/fully-human






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