“Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

There have been many times in my life, when listening to someone speak, I was wishing someone else were there to hear it. Someone specific who I thought really needed that particular admonishment or correction. I didn’t need it, of course, but they sure did.

As if.

Every relationship is a like an echo chamber. Whatever I send out comes back to me. If I am getting coldness, I should try sending warmth and see what happens. The thaw might take some time, but if I stay consistent, warmth will probably return to me from the other person’s direction.

On the contrary, if I am complaining and negative, I will most likely get negativity back. At this point, I’ll be tempted to complain even more. And more negativity will come back. It’s a hard cycle to break.

That’s why today’s verse is so important. I need to take the lead in being loving, genuine, gracious, kind, respectful, generous… all the good things.

It’s easy to be kind to someone who is kind and warm to me. It’s easy to smile and be generous to someone who is smiling and grateful. But that isn’t “taking the lead.”

Taking the lead means being kind to a jerk. It means smiling genuinely at the angry, frustrated face and offering a gentle word. It means apologizing even when I don’t feel that I’ve done anything to warrant offense. It means forgiving without needing an apology. It means reaching out again with a helping hand when gratitude wasn’t displayed the last time.

In dancing, whoever takes the lead decides where the two of us go. We could tango under the twinkling lights of the dance floor all night, or we could waltz right off a cliff.

Taking the lead in love is hard. Following Jesus is hard. He said it would be. But He also said the reward will be worth it.

Dear God,

Thank you for today’s verse and for reminding me that my job is to be a trailblazer of love in all my relationships. Forgive me for participating in tit-for-tat behavior or thinking things need to be fair. I’m so glad you do not treat me the way I treat you! I’m so grateful I can count on your love. Always.