LOVING YOUR ENEMIES A LITTLE LESS

After our service on loving our enemies this was the email I got this morning. Coincidence? I think not. :)

A couple of months ago Al Rogulski was on a boating and snorkeling trip sponsored by a distributor of his heating and air-conditioning business. Owners and employees from several heating and air firms were there; it's the kind of trip that companies award to their best customers.
One afternoon everyone went snorkeling, but Rogulski chose to stay on the boat; the water was a little too rough for him. Within just a few minutes, several snorkelers began having trouble, including one man in particular: Rogulski could see him floating unconscious in the water, bumping against the boat.
Rogulski helped pull the man to safety, and when no one else could administer CPR, he took over. After about 15 minutes the man finally spit out a half-gallon of water and began to breathe again. Rogulski had saved his life.
It's already a pretty good story, but here's the twist.
The name of the unconscious man is Don Bertrand. He's the founder of another heating and cooling company located in Rogulski's home town. In other words they're competitors. Enemies, you might say, in a business sense.
Normally they fight with each other for customers, but on this day Rogulski was fighting for Bertrand. And he saved his life. The fact that they're competitors was never an issue; Rogulski later said, "I just felt like I had to do what I had to do."
AND A LITTLE LESS...
When Jesus said, "Love your enemies," he was talking about this kind of thing -- and a little less.
Here's what I mean: I doubt any of us would bypass a chance to save the life of someone, even someone we might consider an enemy. However, what if it wasn't about saving their life, but, instead, just giving them a helping hand in a small matter? Could we show them this kind of love as well?
Could you give a ride to someone you know doesn't like you?
Could you visit the hospital room of someone who has criticized you?
Could you offer a word of encouragement to someone who would rather discourage you?
This is the little less that loving your enemies sometimes calls for. This kind of love doesn't make you a hero, but it does make you more like your Father.
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV)
--Steve May