Blessed me Father, for I am ANNOYED

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." - Luke 6:32

Do you have anyone in your life who just annoys you? Do you have that one person who knows how to push you to the limit? "Seriously, God, are you kidding me?" I don't know how many times in the course of the day or week I ask the above question. Often times, it's accompanied by a look up to the sky or a shaking of my head. Usually it comes after another one of God's creation. Some brother or sister in Christ has unnecessarily made my faith walk more difficult than it needs to be. Sometimes other people life intentionally make your life harder, sometimes unintentionally, but it's always a challenge, isn't it?

It's not un-Christian to "be annoyed" by someone. It's un-Christian when that annoyance allows you to act un-Christian to that someone. When you read the Gospels you don't see a picture of Jesus that lacks occasional annoyance or frustration. Jesus got frustrated, sometimes Jesus got annoyed, to be sure. We have several examples, Mt 8:26, Mt 16:23, Lk 9:41, Jn 2:13-16, to name a few. But Christ never forgot how to be "Christ-like" (obviously). And while you and I are not perfect like Jesus we are still called as Christians ("little Christ"s) to set our bars higher than the rest of the world does. The next time that person opens their mouth, pray for them. The next time that person offers an unkind word, or unwanted advice or unnecessary criticism. Simply pray for them. The next time that person gives the annoyed exhale, exaggerated eye roll or disapproving sideways glance, just pray for them.

Why do I say these things? Because that's what I need to do, too. We can learn a lot from Jesus. We need more people who wash the feet (Jn 13:1-20), not just who complain about how bad they smell. We need more people who forgive (Lk 17:3), not who hold grudges. We need more people who build others up (Mt 12:37), not who tear others down. We need more people who are not only authentically annoyed but who are authentic in their love. Picture that person (or people) who annoys you. Now, imagine this how much you love that person is how much you love Jesus (yikes!) But don't take my word for it, take His Word for it, that's today's verse.

How's that for motivation? "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." - Luke 6:32

Love is not the absence of annoyance, it is the refusal to be mastered by it.