I was on the elliptical machine at the gym this morning; listening to some old playlists on my ipod when the Newsboys version of "I Surrender All" kicked up. Church-goers will most likely be familiar with the classic Hymn however the Newboys inserted a refrain that I may have finally heard and understood for the first time today . . .
"He doesn't love us 'cuz of who we are . . . He only loves us 'cuz of who He is . . . ."
And it hit me:
If we are to love others the way God loves us - we are to love others not because of who THEY are but because of who WE are. We don't love others because they are easy to get along with - we love them because WE are patient and kind. We don't love others because THEY add something in the credit column of our emotional ledger - we love them because WE are generous and giving.
We are called to love others not because of who THEY are but because of who WE have become - people mindful of, prompted and fueled by love. I don't love you because of who YOU are. I love you because that's who I AM.
I want to be the type of man who loves those around me not because of who they are - but because of who I have become.
Its not you - Its me (or rather Christ in me).
And that's a very different approach to love.
