Dear Lizzie Mae,

I wonder if my love for my fellow humans is of the kind, and quality, genuineness and integrity that God desires of me?

You would know, of course. Dunno anyone who knew me as well as you did.

One of critical tensions for me is how to love people whose habits are like the hyenas on National Geographic's Animal Kingdom. Don't much like hyenas. I am utterly at loss as to why God created them. There are people who, in their most volatile moments, are very much like hyenas.

I try to treat such human monsters lovingly, but I am not so sure about my feelings of love. The Lord taught us to love our enemies. How do you love someone you would like to kill?

I have much to learn.

Could it be that killing them is an act of love if, in that act, one rids the world of evil and the threat of beastialized human depravitey. Well? Isn't that plausible?

Ok, Maybe not.

So long as it is in God's service, and if it were for His sake, I believe I would gladly give my life. That does not mean that I should not protect my person, my family, and my property from evil intent and threat.

Again, I have much to learn!

There is another thing that unsettles me. How can Jesus say His burden is easy, when He had to go through what He went through on the cross? I never thought of what I might lose by following Jesus. I considered instead the forgiveness of my sins and the richness of life in following Him.

When I first encountered Jesus, for the first time, I felt truly loved. Can you imagine what that meant? I came to Christ because I needed Him. It was no sacrifice. It was glorious relief and release! I came to Christ to be rescued from myself. Somehow, He managed to love me enough to do just that. That's what Jesus does.

Looking back over my life, I know my work on earth for the Kingdom doesn't compare with who Jesus is and what He has done. And I have had far more than twice the time here that He had. What He accomplished in three or four years produced over two billion (with a 'B') followers is way beyond my ability to imagine.

But would I drink of the same cup from which He did? I think I would in a heartbeat! I think I would in the hope and prayer that my life and commitment to Him may play a small part of fulfilling the incredible mission for which He came.

-- PDM