Selective Love

In my post last night, I touched on my feelings for the people of Africa...and the lack thereof for Americans. Although God wants us to love all the people of the world, I can't say that my feelings are wrong since I believe that He impresses upon the hearts of His children to pursue different people groups with His love. However, it does cause me to notice a certain flaw inside myself - selective love.


The way I live my life is very structured. Perhaps my worst pet peeve is being late, the second being disorganized. I hate the feeling of chaos and disorder, so I narrow my focus to maintain my sanity. Narrowing my focus, however, often shifts people to my peripheral vision or my blind side. Sometimes I run them over in the pursuit of my goals.


In Matthew 5:43-49, Jesus said, "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."


We got a new General Manager at Banana Republic a couple of weeks ago. Right off the bat people were talking smack about her, calling her awful names behind her back. I was shocked to hear even my favorite manager slander her. But as time has passed and I too have noticed unlikeable characteristics in the new GM, I silently joined the critics. Yesterday she snapped at me and I could feel a sarcastic reply crawl up my throat. I almost didn't care that I was about to get myself fired over an offense! But a couple of hours later when I clocked out for the day, I noticed her in the break room cringing with a big migraine. I suddenly imagined myself in her shoes - a stranger in a new state, trying to get her family settled in and manage a brand new group of people who doesn't even accept her yet. So I silently prayed for her, and my hostile feelings melted away.


I don't usually keep a record of "enemies", but how often do I select those who I am going to really love?