Forgive me, Lord, for I’m a stupid and pathetic wretch. I’m not a worm because worms are useful. I’m more like the dirt that worms crap out.
No, not even that – at least that has nutrients.
Lord Jesus, you only told me to do two things.
Two!
A child could manage that and I didn’t.
Christ, you told me to put God first – and that’s all I’ve managed, assuming I’ve even done that. Maybe I failed that too.
But I definitely forgot to love my neighbour.
This was a particularly challenging neighbour – one who’s harming me. That’s no excuse – Jesus loves everyone who harms Him and His harm was worse than mine.
Besides, I’m better than this. For a moment there, I forgot all wisdom.
Good theology tells you that, instead of getting angry at others, see them as God sees them.
They are precious and divine in His eyes. Flawed, yes – oh so very flawed – but that doesn’t detract from their infinite glory.
Think about what God loves about them. It’s hard to keep hating then.
If your mind can’t stretch that far, then I have something else for you.
It’s not quite as Good, but it’s still life-changing, practical and easy.
And this might help you love your neighbour, even when they make that as hard as possible.
I’m doing it now, and it’s soothing my racing heart and twisting stomach.
It gives me back perspective, which gives me back control, which brings me back into wisdom.
All I had to do was remember my story isn’t about me, just as Your Story Isn’t About You.
This is probably the best way to learn to love your neighbour I’ve ever come across.
Sure, I’m biased, but that’s fine. You’ll learn to love that about me once you get out of your own head: