Why is it that we sometimes take things that are very simple and make them overly complicated? I was talking with someone from church earlier today, and they were saying that they aren't sure how to go about (or, at least, where to start) loving people the way Jesus commands us. I replied that, more often than not, we just need to do it. We have to examine our attitudes, motives, and the way we interact with people, and ask ourselves if we are showing them love in those things. We need to keep our "eyes open" (so to speak) and see if there are any major needs, hurts, or issues they have in their lives that we might be able to help with. We need to view them as God views them. It isn't rocket science...it's a very simple thing, really. But we make it so complicated.
I think it's fear, to some extent...fear of putting ourselves out there, fear of rejection, fear of being vulnerable ourselves (because loving others, by definition, means being able/willing to be loved ourselves...and understanding what it means that we are so loved by our God). I also think it's making excuses. Loving others forces us to move outside of our comfort zone(s) and it requires effort. We don't particularly like either of those. So we make excuses for not doing what God calls us to do, and make simple issues overly complicated.
I wonder if there are areas in my life where I do this. Probably.
