A Love Like That

I've been wanting to write about the Colorado shootings since a couple days after it happened. But because my view on it is so different than most, I haven't been brave enough yet to share. But the more it "sat" with me, the more I knew I had to take a chance and share. After all, a writer must be willing to "bleed", and I have to ask myself, am I willing to bleed?

I share my perspective knowing full well that there are many a perspectives out there, and I can respect and appreciate all of them. The reason I can learn to respect each view is because I understand that we all come from different backgrounds, and different experiences. Which leads to a vast amount of unique perspectives. And as Christians, we can continue to look forward to growth, as we hear and witness other perspectives throughout our body, and take on new ways of thinking. That is the kind of work God is into; change and transformation. He is out on a mission for us to reach new heights!

The God that I love and the God that loves me is like huge. He is a God that loves with no limits, no conditions, and with fierceness. He is a God that loves everyone regardless of their pasts. He is a God that loves everyone and anyone right where they are at. His love is bigger for me and you than your parents love for you. Or than your love for your children.

I can't deny that within hours of the shootings when I heard people calling this guy an 'Idiot' or express their hatred for him that it didn't bother me. Especially when I heard it from believers. It actually saddened me. Now, let me first say that I have never lost anyone through murder, and I am not an expert on mental health, and I am certainly not speaking from a professional stand-point. I couldn't say that if this was something that had happened in my life, that I would be able to write the same thing, but I would hope I would.

This man (this murderer), is still a human being loved by God. I, myself, am called to 'love my enemy' and that is not an easy thing to do, especially in the face of murder. But here are the verses in the bible that help me not to have hate in my heart, and to love everyone, yes even the murderer.

my image
"I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best--the sun to warm and the rain to nourish--to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a medal? Anyone can do that. It's easy to love those who love you, it's easy to love the lovable." 
Matthew 5 out of The Message


Sounds like the hardest thing on earth, and it is! Even in relation to our families, friends and co-workers! Seems down right impossible, but as I was reflecting the week after it happened, and as I am going through some hard times myself, it came to mind that, "Everything that feels impossible to me, is possible for God."
Now it certainly doesn't feel that way and it doesn't seem that way. Especially because we want relief now. We want answers now! But over time, we will get answers, we will be carried through all this muck, and junk--amongst the pain and evils in this life, we will be carried through. We just might not be able to see that right now and that is where faith comes in. Faith is the substance of what is hoped for and the essence of what is unseen. Faith is hard. I can attest to that.


'Where there is pain, let us bring graceWhere there is suffering, bring serenityFor those afraid, let us be braveWhere there is misery, let us bring them relief'

So as hateful and harmful as the Colorado shooter is/was, and as disgusting as an act as it was, it is not my place to call him names, or to hate on him. I hope he figures out what is wrong with him, right where he belongs---in prison for life. And let me tell you, the praying part in the above verses is certainly not easy either. I have abusers and I have had to forgive them, but I have barely gotten to the place where I can pray for them. But I do not hate them anymore. That is Gods work in me. It's no credit to myself. And I believe with God working in all of us, we will be able to answer this next tough question.
God's love is like a roaring lion.

Who does God love more, the murderer or the murdered?

I can confidently answer with: both the same.

Might not be an easy pill to swallow, but I believe it to be true. It doesn't mean that God likes what happened, or approves of it, or doesn't see the degree of wrong this guy committed. Not.at.all. When I use the word love here, I am talking about AGAPE love, I don't use the word 'love' loosely or lightly.

I don't know about you
but I don't know what to do
with a love like that?
It's beyond comprehension. But it's how God loves me, you and yes, even the murderer.

Comments

Stephanie said…
Beautiful. It's so much easier for us as humans to understand hatred and anger. But His love for ALL of us is beyond explanation or understanding.
KnittedFox said…
Wonderful post Gina! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I agree with them 100%. To be honest, your words struck me like "Well, DUH!" because even though that's what I believe, but I just hadn't thought about it consciously. It was kind of like a smack on the head as a wake up call. In a good way. *^__________^*
Elisha said…
Beautiful.. Your so talented at writing! <3
Mary said…
i totally agree.
God doesn't judge our sins by how bad they are like we tend to do.
we are all the same in His eyes and that is a very humbling truth.
that man sitting in jail needs Jesus, just like the rest of us.
xo
Unknown said…
Love this, you are so bold girl. Continue to write whats on your heart.
Sue Masterjohn said…
Gina, I enjoy watching your boldness and courage grow! It makes me think of a quote I came across recently...

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Courage faces fear and thereby masters it; cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it. We must constantly build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Laura said…
Your boldness is incredible. You could have stayed sileny but you chose to speak out. So proud of you and so inspired by your grace, your humility and your honesty. Thank you Jesus. And thank you!
Kelly said…
Absolutely! Amen!
Unknown said…
Agree to the max. As humans we can only observe the "what" but not the "why" people do what they do. Kinda makes a lot of sense why God asks to have all of the judging responsibility.
Kate said…
What beautiful words for such a tender topic. Well spoken, momma. Also, I love the blog redesign! :)
aimk said…
Beautiful,thank you for your wonderful courage, well said Kevin!
aimk said…
Beautiful,thank you for your wonderful courage, well said Kevin!
vintage grey said…
Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing such truth about God's love! It is an amazing love He has for us all! Have a blessed week! xo Heather
Krista said…
I totally agree with what you are saying. It has only been in the more recent years that God's change in me is more evident but I can't help but instantly think what tragedy this man must have had in his own life that brought him to the place where he could commit this act. It is such a sad situation for all involved but like you I know God's loving work will be done even if we can't see it here on Earth.

Congrats on the feature!!!
Unknown said…
I mirror your sentiments exactly. And, I listened to this song repeatedly today in my car - about an hour ago. How chill giving it was to see it reflected here as well. Powerful.

Seeing beautiful with you!
Unknown said…
Congratulations to your little award!
Wise and beautiful words, I really enjoy your writing.
Natalie said…
I have two words: well done =)
I have been noticing so much hate here lately on the internet, in conversations with people, and social media. Sometimes it is frustrating because it seems more prevalent and then I read blogs like yours and meet other people randomly and become so happy that although the negativity is consuming...there is so much more!

I love your new layout! It's been a while since I have commented on blogs since we've been so busy moving.

(What type of dog do you have as well? We are thinking of adopting a bichon, but I've never "met" one before.)
Amy Shaughnessy said…
Good for you for writing this girl! I totally agree with what you said. Many people would ask why this tragedy happened if God was a loving God but we each have free will to live in a way contrary to God's loving nature. We can choose right or we can choose evil. God would not have been loving if He had not given us free will. My heart hurts for every victim that was lost in the shootings but I know that God hurts for them and for the one who brought this violence.
Unknown said…
one weapon....LOVE.

yes to this.
Naptime Review said…
Beautiful!

Stopping by from the Wiegands. Love for you to stop by and return the follow when you get a chance ;)

Have a great weekend!
www.thenaptimereview.com
Haddock said…
That is true.... God loved both Caine and Abel.
engineer's wife said…
Beautifully stated. It is also amazing to look at it from the point of view that the murderer may fall to his knees and beg the Lord for forgiveness. He may yield his life to Christ and be eternal with us in heaven someday. The murdered may not have been walking with Christ. If that is the case, they are among the many that will not have the chance to know the Lord or even choose to walk with Him at the time of judgement from the beama seat.
Kristina said…
Visiting from Casey's "what is on your heart" :) Following you!

Kristina
http://www.yomichaelmichael.com

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