Did you ever have conversations like these when you were growing up:

“I’ll give you a piece of gum if you give me your toy.”
“I’ll give you $5 if you wash the dishes for me.”

As an adult, those comments sound silly and even comical.  Yet, we tend to do the same even as we mature. It just sounds a bit different:

“I bought him an expensive gift. This is all he got for me?”
“They’re not kind to me. I’m not going to be kind to them.”

We may not want to admit it, but most of us tend to view our relationships as conditional. Whether it’s with our spouse, children, family members or friends, we do something expecting something in return. When the action is not reciprocated, we feel hurt and even unloved at times. This was definitely a rude awakening for me as I began to look at myself and how I related to those around me. I had to do a heart check and figure out what motivated me to do what I was doing. Was it coming from a pure, genuine place of love and care? When I realized that it wasn’t, I was grateful that I didn’t have to look far for help.

The unconditional love of God is the greatest example of all in how we can relate to others. Zaccheus was not known for being integrous. As a tax collector, he had cheated people. So why show kindness to a guy like this, right? That’s what folks were wondering in Luke 19:1-9 when Jesus said He would go to Zaccheus’ house and dine with him. Instead of being rude to him or choosing not to associate with him, Jesus recognized he was a sinner in need of love from our Father. He didn’t expect anything from Zaccheus. He just loved him. That love won Zaccheus over to change his ways and repay all those he cheated!

My prayer is that God would help me to love others as He loves undeserving me. “Give as freely as you have received!” (Matthew 10:8 NLT) And when we learn to love unconditionally, may the hearts of those we are in relationship with be won over by the “overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God.” (Bethel Music)
~Joyce

*Photo credit: Unsplash