Dear masterpiece,
“Love doesn't (still) keep records of wrongs.”
Can you count? Or Have you lost count?
Let me walk you down where this note originated from. Can I go on?
I just heard yes 10 times so I'll take that as a confirmation.🤭
On a sunny day, under the mango tree in December, 2023, I began to daily confess 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, Love is patient, love is kind...
I planned to stop by January, 2024 and move on to a new chapter or verse. But, I got a prompting to persist with 1 Corinthians 13 so I added more verses instead. The rate at which people have been offending me, If I gave the key of my heart to humanity, I should have been locked up by now (Finland prison won't be a bad idea though)😩😂.
By March again,
started 30 days of meditating on love. I struggled a bit to follow up but I began to see and hear illumination. I knew for sure that I really needed to continuously meditate on what love is so when I exhibit what love isn't, I can know the difference.English aside, God helped me.
Talking about love can sound so divine but your humanity still exists. You have to put people in their place or even help them identify that you're not the person they can take advantage of. All of that is okay but does it have to be the same old ways or your new approach?
-How long more do you have to give people a piece of your heart or the entire heart?
-How long do you have to keep people's wrongs in a cooler, till its full?
-How long more do you have to let people's actions always activate your red button?
You and I know of God's overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love.
You couldn't earn it.
I don't deserve it yet we are enjoying this love daily. It's ours for the receiving.
Do you believe you receive that love just to pour into yourself? Don't you want to overflow to others, even those online inlaws, uncles and aunts who always have a 2 cent?
In Wonder 10 (https://open.substack.com/pub/tobilobawonders/p/wonder-10?r=1p62h4&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true), I mentioned that you are wonderfully and beautifully made but, you are also made as love.
So, how can love (you) not keep record of wrongs?
Admit how you feel- You've been wronged, you are upset, you are pained, you feel betrayed, express it.
Ask for God's help.
Evaluate what you think and say when you remember who has offended you and see if your thoughts or words radiate love.
It takes process. You are a masterpiece not, a master of forgiviness.
Ask for God's help again and again.
You don't deserve this faithful love
You couldn't earn it.
But because of Jesus, it's yours for the receiving
They also don't deserve this love that does not keep record of wrongs.
They cannot earn it.
But because of Jesus, it's theirs for the receiving.
It's important that you remember that you cannot pour into people the love Jesus came to give without Jesus's help.
You cannot love truly, independent of the Holy Spirit.
You need God's help, ask for it and you'll see his glory increase as your humanity decreases.
You're a work in progress but “love that doesn't keep record of wrongs” is possible.
Remind Yourself:
Colossians 3:12-15 NLT
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Present Yourself:
God, thank you. Thank you for leading me with love and compassion. Even your corrections are filled with kindness. Right now, please help me to pay attention to how you are asking me to grow and give me the courage to change. It is an honour to be loved by you and I don't want to take this for granted. So, here I am Lord, please speak to me, use me and change me in Jesus name.
Cultivating Intimacy and gratitude,
Tobiloba Wonders.