Let’s Talk About Love…

As a high school volleyball coach, I often have the opportunity to talk to the girls about things going on in their lives. It is not uncommon for them to share their frustrations with their classes, among their friends, and of course, among their teammates. I attempt to take these opportunities to share a bit of wisdom from experience and the Bible. 

One of the most common things that I hear is frustrations with others’ behavior, choices, or priorities. This happened a few weeks ago when someone skipped practice again. Does it frustrate me as a coach? Of course. However, I have learned a few things over the years, and I try to explain that to the girls. 

First, I don’t know what is going on in someone else’s life. If we can grab ahold of that, it is huge! I am not always successful in remembering that, but I can tell you that when I do, I am a much more compassionate, kind, and understanding person. I am less critical and judgmental.  

As I sat in our Wednesday night prayer meeting, I was reminded of this truth. Before the preaching begins, we have a time of sharing prayer requests and praying over them. Each week, I am reminded that we are a needy people. That there are so many burdens—great and small—that are influencing our days. And for every spoken request, I know there are many more that remain unspoken… 

Second, the choices that others make can be frustrating and disappointing. Choices have consequences (i.e. my volleyball player saw less playing time), and often, the consequences of our choices are far reaching beyond ourselves. Let’s drill this down a bit more to a spiritual application… Sometimes a person’s choices are sin, and sin always affects others. How do we respond to that person? 

I think it is easy to get upset, to get annoyed, to lash out, or even “write them off.” Sometimes we may indeed need to put distance between ourselves and someone who is habitually sinning in an effort to protect ourselves. I’m not talking about that here.  

I’m talking about the times when we need to love someone and attempt to make an impact on their life for Christ. Maybe we’re dealing with a “baby” Christian who has some growing to do. It can be frustrating, but Christians who have been saved for many years can also still be spiritual “babies.” They may need a mentor who will love them, invest in them, and provoke them toward growth. It could be a person that is new to church, seeking something or Someone to make sense of their rough life. Before we attempt to “fix” them, let’s love them. 

I Peter 4:7-11 lists several commands for us as “…the end of all things is at hand…” but verse 8 says, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines fervent as earnest, excited, and animated. This is the kind of love we are expected to show toward others. That fervent charity will prompt us to have patience and forgive others when they do wrong. The ultimate example of this is, of course, Jesus Christ. He showed the greatest example of love by dying on the cross for our sins.  

Let’s all try to show a bit more love. Be patient and kind. Remember we don’t always know the whole story. Love in such a way that draws others to Christ and prompts them to grow in their walk with Him.