I once heard someone say that a parent should be the best representation of Christ to their children. Being Christ with skin to my children and my husband is exactly what I want to be. There is no better person to reflect and be like. So how do I representation Christ to my family?
Christ and God are one and God is love (1 John 4:8). Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us…
“Watch what God does and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love…”
The best way to represent and be Christ to my family is to love!
Not only to love though, at least not as we as humans love. If we read further into verse 2 of Ephesians 5 you’ll read…
“Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
This is the most difficult part to loving with God’s agape love. The selfless love that expects nothing in return. I am almost certain that this will be the hardest part for me on my journey to pursue peace in myself and my home.
It’s difficult to put forth a lot of energy and work at pursuing peace as the rest of my family rolls their eyes, argues, whines and complains. It’s difficult to keep my mouth shut and show the love of God as a sarcastic comment wounds my heart. I have thought on more than one occasion, “But, God, if I am the only one trying to keep the peace in my home, and I am choosing my words carefully, trying not to hurt the hearts of my family, then my heart is still getting hurt. I don’t want to be hurt, Lord.”
I feared that with them knowing I am striving for peace in myself and in my home that they would try harder to push my buttons. I feared that my husband would utter sarcastic or hurtful words, purposely trying to get a rise out of me, and I would have to bite my tongue and turn my cheek.
Well, it turns out that I would have to live my fears. I am having to hold my tongue and turn me cheek. I am having to forgive when no apology has been given. I am having to choose to love when they are acting unloveable. Yes, it’s hard to do. But if I really want to be Christ to my family, and represent his agape love, then this is what I have to do.
Joyce Meyer says in her devotional Promises For Your Everyday Life,
“You can “agape” love people by being patient, understanding…saying something encouraging or by not saying anything when you could. As humans we are inherently selfish, constantly asking, “What about me?” It’s time to declare war on selfishness with the power of agape love.”
Being selfless and loving as God wants us to is not easy, but I agree with Joyce Meyer here, It’s time to declare war on selfishness! It’s time to be selfless and live like Christ, even when it’s difficult.
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.” Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)
If we live and conduct ourselves God’s way, with agape love, then he will bless us. All the things I desire; gentleness, self-control, patience, faithfulness, love, peace, they will be given to me.
I will no longer have to be afraid that my children will dance on the last thin string that is holding my emotions in balance because they model what they see. If I am being Christ, being love to them, then they too will begin to model this love.
I will no longer have to be afraid that I will be hurt by my husband because in the very same chapter of 1 Peter that gives me the desire to have a quiet and gentle spirit it tells me, that he will be won over, not by my words but by my conduct. (1 Peter 3:1) This means that my outpouring of love towards him will help him to pour out love upon me.
God will honor the selfless act of love. It is difficult to put myself aside and be Christ, but I know it’s worth it! So I will continue to…
“Put on love which is the bond of perfection.”
Considering Lilies 