Choose Love

…they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. Genesis 37:4 KJV

The kids and I have been studying in the book of Genesis. One thing I love about reading the Word of God is that it never gets old!

I like reading about Joseph. His story is one that begins in his adolescence and follows through his adulthood. He endures struggles and trials, yet we see how God is faithful through it all.

The verse above stood out to me, particularly, on the day we read it. Perhaps it was because on that particular day, I had my own struggles with the way people were speaking to me – coworkers to be exact.

In my desperation, I cried out, Why can’t they just be nice? Why do they have to be so mean?

I feel as though I received my answer in reading the Word, later that evening. Like Joseph’s brothers could not speak peaceably unto him, there are those who for whatever reason can’t and won’t speak peaceably to us. Now, that verse tells us that Joseph’s brothers hated him because he was loved more by their father. However, something that I know is that friendship with the world is enmity with God. James 4:4 KJV. So, of course the reverse is also true: If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. John 15:18 KJV

Yet, I’m reminded, it’s not about them and they. It doesn’t matter what they say or how they say it. What matters is how I choose to respond, in kind or in love. I choose love.

I choose to love my enemies and do good to those which hate me; bless those that curse me and pray for those that despitefully use me. Luke 6:27-28 KJV

*Original Image by Yours Truly