Where Love Is

Forget about the vicious display of hate in the world’s political systems. Forget about the utter disdain people have for another’s religious affiliations. Look beyond the racial, sexual, and countless other biases which separate the human race. Instead look into the only heart that you truly know and search to find a love that should control everything you do. Where is it? Where is love? Is it there? What compels your breath to spew out barbs that rip the spirit of another? What moves you to report stories that do nothing but flame the angry fires of those you consider to be your enemies? Can you name the vile rage that has built up deep down in your heart which erupts with a vengeful destructive force?

Years ago on the day three thousand Americans were killed in New York and in Washington DC. I stood before my colleagues where I taught school and I said, “How could anyone have so much hate in their hearts that they would do something so evil as this?” This question came from a man who in anger had turned his back on God. This question was uttered by a man who had for years hated several people who had hurt him. I was a man who showed no love for God, nor did I feel that God loved me. As soon as that question left my mouth I received the answer deep within my hardened heart. I heard it as clearly as if someone sitting beside me had spoken to me. A quiet voice said, “That hate came from the same place that your hate and your anger and your bitterness comes. It comes from the very pit of hell, and it will destroy you as it destroyed those evil men.”

I remember reading a story a long time ago by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy entitled where Love Is, There Is God Also. In this wonderful piece Martin Avdeitch, a poor, lonely shoemaker has lost touch with love and with God because all three of his children and his wife had died. For years he had denied God. One day a missionary told him that he should serve God, not deny him. Martin began reading his Bible. One night he read about a man who invited Jesus into his home, and Jesus accepted his invitation. Martin thought how good it would be if Jesus visited him. He fell asleep and dreamed that Jesus did indeed come to visit. The dream seemed so real that Martian expected Jesus to show up the next day. As he waited and watched out his window Martian noticed on three occasions people who needed help—one cold and hungry, one lonely, and one filled with anger. Martian was moved to help each person. At the end of the day disappointment began to fill his heart because Jesus had not come. That night as Martin wondered why God had not visited him, one at a time each of those he had helped appeared to him from out of a dark corner in his small house. They said, “When you showed love to us, Martin, you were showing love to God.” Martin then realized that God had visited him that day.
“If you do it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

No one needs to spend even one second being involved in the hate filled banter that plagues our society. Instead spend those moments doing something good and loving  for others. Be kind, tenderhearted, loving one another, even your enemies. Your anger, your hate and your rage will never change the world for good. These things will only serve to destroy you. When you serve others you will understand, “For God so loved”. When you receive kindness from someone you will know that God loves you. When you make sacrifices to help others you will know in your heart that you do indeed love God.