Love one Another

i am continually amazed at how some bloggers (such as my cousin aaron) have so much time to blog so often. furthermore, how they manage to have so many epiphanies in their day to write about. like seriously, my life is not that interesting! anyhow, shout out to his blog, check it out :)
here. i promise no good morals and endless hours of procrastination as you browse through his amusing and very malaysian blog.

i just got home from church camp. this is my first avenue of processing so far. aside from all the fun things i got to do, such as slide down the 110 metre long water slide, canoeing and take a ride on the 130metre long flying fox, as well as trampolining and hanging out with the coolest kids in town (literal children).. i really felt God pulling me back to him.

it's a huge challenge to christians everywhere on how to live as a christian and be noticed for it. this camp taught us that by loving each other, we ensure that we are viewed as Jesus' disciples. i know one of the greatest things God challenged me on was the power of encouragement. so many times i forget to encourage others. also, i need to begin to defend others and not tear them down. loving one another goes beyond feeling, it is a commitment on our part, and a command that God has called us to obey. i know God truly placed certain people on my heart that i need to pray for, to love more, to respect more, to treat with more patience and gentleness.. the list is endless. oh i am so flawed.

though i wasn't in the adult sessions (i was helping out with sunday school), i really saw - through devotions and general conversations - that God is my Father, and i am a child of God. i am not an orphan, i belong somewhere. i do not need to seek aproval in anybody or in anything. by learning who i am in christ Jesus, and by abiding in Him, i assure a confidence and a faith in him that goes beyond any shallow acceptance this world can offer me.

"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." - Michael Leuning

I know it can be hard to love some people, but through the grace of God, we can learn to see them through God's eyes. men, no matter how good or bad (and by the way, who are we to judge?), no matter how perfect or flawed are all made in God's image.

"So now i am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." - John 13:34-35

so, i now have some praying to do.