September 20: The Divine Rule of Life

Chambers eloquently teaches a lesson that I learned long ago, but which never seems to get any easier to do. No matter how despicable they are or how angry that I am, my prayer should always be, "Lord, help me love them like You love them." Most of the time, I say that prayer through clinched teeth, yet, amazingly, He will somehow give me the strength to forgive and to love.

Another thing that amazes me is that God's love rarely takes the same form twice. Sometimes it is compassion, another time honesty and "tough love." Sometimes it is words of comfort; the next it is sitting in silence. Sometimes it is reaching out to a stranger; sometimes it is anonymous prayer.

Jesus, please empower us to bury our own fickle emotions and trust You to give us Your love for mankind. If we spend time concentrating on the circumstances, we will be totally overwhelmed and rendered useless. If, however, we concentrate on You, then we will find our orders from You to be a "yoke that is easy and a burden that is light" as we surrender to be Your tool to touch the world.