Poverty of spirit

I have generally thought of myself as a person who likes people.
I do.
I find them interesting and intriguing.
Each one is like a good book just waiting to be read.

Lately though, I have become aware of a "pickiness" in myself; a tendency to zone in on people's weaknesses; also a tendency to prejudice, loathed, but there.

How IS it that these lakes of bad attitudes can lie subliminally in us?!
We go on blissfully unaware until the Lord shows us ourselves - in fact, we are often critical of the exact same thing in others!

So I have been brought face to face with my impoverished state ito unconditional, selfless love.

For the first time, I am beginning to understand the beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit.

Because only now, can I go to God with empty hands and tell Him I have nothing.
If He doesn't cause His own love to flow out from me to others, I have nothing to give them.

But the good news is: when these things are exposed in me, it is because the Lord wants to deal with them; to change me in ways I cannot change myself.

He started the process by drawing my attention to the story about James and John, offended by the rejection of Jesus by certain villagers, asked Him if they should call down fire from heaven on the village concerned.

He answered them: "You don't know what Spirit you are of."

I realised that my prejudices are often based on the same basis as theirs: people rejecting Jesus.
So I have taken offence on His behalf.

That is not in line with the character of Christ - He remains open hearted always.
So I have been wrong.
Period.

His love sees into, and speaks into, the best in people; to their potential to be all He created them to be.
Our love, cleansed of self-centredness, will echo that.