Chapter 36 – Love and Meekness

God is Love and is Humble

Romans 13:8-10

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

1 John 4:7-21

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

Each day moseyed along in their own unique way meandering in the blowing winds of time, much like clouds strolling while changing shapes in the sky. We had a few more pleasant neighborly experiences with folks more than willing to say hello and exchange a few personal comments as they or we were passing or driving by. We were grateful for those instances and those folks, and as is our custom we continue to pray for them and those around us. Kaiyah accompanied us on a few occasions and I noticed she had become a bit more cautious during interactions and for good reason. She hadn’t been treated very kindly by some due to her being a husky and for whatever unknown reasons, I could relate, and like me she was polite but a wee bit guarded. Only rarely did I see her actually show a genuine carefree relaxed demeanor but she was patient and always ready to get right back to the mission hike at hand or back to our home. As usual her behavior was exemplary - I could only hope mine was as well.

As I’ve reflected on those amiable interactions I’ve tended to consider the differences and similarities in the many places I’ve travelled and lived. Having spent many years in the south I was used to people saying hello and doing things to help out if they knew you were having a hard time. It wasn’t uncommon for folks to “check in” on you or share their garden produce leaving them at the most used door of the home with a kind word, or leave them with a small note letting you know they dropped by. Southern hospitality came with its faults too, as gossip connections seemed to run deep or they were disingenuous. It also came with prejudices that never made any sense to me coming from people living in the “Bible belt.” My family also suffered from those prejudices and again they made absolutely zero sense. This was especially hard to understand coming from people who said they were true followers of God and His Word.

My family and I suffered from culture shock for years after moving there from the west. My friends and the people we knew were mainly of color, often with accents, having originated out of other countries with different religions, lifestyles, and backgrounds. We just saw people as people, and knew there were good and bad in all groups. And we also came to understand that saying or even doing some things like one was a Christian didn’t mean you were one. That was a much harder reality to process...

Over the years I’ve learned a lot of folks everywhere have their own meaning of things. And for some of those professing they were Christians, many were often not following the instructions that the Word of God directs us as His people to be and warns against us becoming. And even worse was that many folks didn’t seem to personally know the God they professed. To me this only emphasizes 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

It was a real eye opener when my friends of color, in the south, said they couldn’t be my friend any longer - and mainly because their parents didn’t trust people with my color, even though we believed the same way. After years of childhood friendships those good-byes were really heart breaking. Thankfully not everyone did that and as the years went by I was later welcomed to many of their churches as part of the choir. I was the only person of my color and a really tall long-haired woman at that. Those were great memories and ones I cherish along with many other special times like those. Maybe more of those stories I can share at another time.

It was and is hard to determine what people meant by identifying themselves with a particular denomination or group. That too seemed subject to change depending on the person, family or their leadership and sometimes is could change on the fly. One thing is for absolutely certain: associations and memberships on this earth have nothing to do with being a member of the Body of Christ. Being a member of His church is only in and through Jesus Himself, and it requires love and obedience to stay in Him and walking according to The Word of God. There are no grandfather clauses, no “gmos” (generated by man or something else), no additives to “enhance or fortify” His Word, no artificial flavors that change the substance to make it more palatable or like something it is not; all require testing to make sure you don’t have counterfeits or a modified substance of His Truth. The test is the Word itself, being vigilant, sober and in much prayer, and it is a lifelong process of seeking, praying and testing.

It takes time, study, reflection, and a willingness to be corrected and humbled, and often times, to be in the minority. The enemy of God wants us to just go with the flow, to be wearied into complacency, to be overwhelmed with the process, to think we don’t need to have checks and balances, or that we couldn’t because of... whatever reason may be even if it is our individual vulnerability or where we think we already know enough. Dangerous whichever way, I know this from personal experience. It is also dangerous to think that because you know many things that it will make you impervious to deceit, hypocrisy, or even apostasy. It is so essential to remember the importance of loving others and to keep on the rails when it comes to knowledge. I absolutely know I need the Lord’s assistance every step of the way!

There are many Passages in Scripture that are mainstays to convict me when I need to be kept in balance. I don’t know about anyone else, but I necessitate Holy Spirit Ministering to me every day. These two from 1 Corinthians 8:1 & 10:12 are solid admonition, “….Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth,” and “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” And this one is also admonitory from Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” I believe that love and humility are vital.

While living in the south, and a few other places, I could almost say I didn’t know what to do with being around many “white people”, even though I was white myself. Many folks didn’t communicate about any background other than their families and never travelled to anywhere but what was directly within a fifty mile radius or less. Although many lovely things were learned and enjoyed in those places, it was a different world when it came to racism, hypocrisy and prejudice; one I didn’t fit into very well. I can only hope and pray it is better in the south and other places today. Racism, elitism, and prejudices of any kind are wrong. Thank God He looks at our hearts and not on our outward appearances the same way we do with each other. God’s Kingdom will have people from all over the world in it. There will not be one person greater or more special than another and all will be in Christ Jesus as one people. That, of course, is a free will decision for all people, tribes, tongues and nations to make individually and with their own conscience. It gives me much to pray about and be thankful for… that is for sure and for certain. Thinking about it reminds me of the instruction given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-6, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

The Lord’s Kingdom will have innumerable creatures and all kinds of different beautiful things we never knew existed. Kaiyah, and those of us who have walked a more solitary and committed journey, will have more friends than could ever be dreamed. It will be glorious and wondrous and I absolutely want to be there when He Makes all things beautiful and without a trace of evil, wickedness, pride, fear, hatred, jealousy, lust, etc., and all their consequences. Kaiyah will be one of many special canines, big and small, loud and quiet, thick furred and think coated; of all colors, shapes and sizes - every one precious and part of that beautiful promise. And when He calls us up to Heaven with Him, I can’t wait to see the incredible array of people who have chosen my Loving God and Savior as their very own; and to at long last see The Loving Humble Savior and God who first loved us all looking at us, Face to face, up close and personal for all Eternity.

In the meantime, Kaiyah continues to be a furry reminder of love, humility and keeping on the happy trails as much as possible. And there is a time and a place for friskity behavior and quiet gentleness, and always time for treats and being cordial.

…Until we meet again…