February 27: Love That Builds Bridges

 Love That Builds Bridges 

Romans 12:10 (KJV) says: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

It is often easy to love those who love us in return. We naturally extend affection to our immediate family members, close friends, and those who treat us with kindness and respect. Some individuals are simply easier to love, and that is a reality we all understand. However, there are others for whom love must be intentional and deliberate. These are the individuals who challenge us, test our patience, misunderstand us, or even hurt us. If we are honest, there are times when we might prefer to keep our distance rather than extend our hearts.

Yet Scripture calls us higher. 

In Romans 12:10, the Apostle Paul urges believers to be devoted to one another in brotherly love and to honor others above themselves. This command does not come with conditions. It does not say to love only those who are pleasant or agreeable. It calls us to cultivate a love that reflects Christ, even when it feels undeserved or inconvenient.

Building bridges of love does not mean that we agree with everything a person does. It does not require us to excuse harmful behavior or abandon healthy boundaries. Instead, it means choosing to see people through God’s eyes. It means remembering that every person is made in His image and carries wounds, struggles, and stories that we may not fully understand.

When someone challenges us, we have the opportunity to respond differently. We can choose grace instead of hostility. We can choose kindness instead of criticism. We can choose humility instead of pride. In doing so, we refuse to build walls of resentment. Instead, we begin constructing bridges of compassion.

Bridges create connections. They make a way where separation once existed. When we build bridges of love, we create pathways. These pathways can lead others toward Christ. They open doors for deeper understanding. They create space for healing to begin. Sometimes, the simple act of consistent kindness softens hearts more powerfully than any argument ever could.

Loving the “unlovable” is not easy. It requires surrender. It demands maturity. It calls for the Holy Spirit to help us respond beyond our natural instincts. But it is powerful because it mirrors the very heart of Jesus. Christ loved us when we were distant, broken, and undeserving. He built a bridge to us through His sacrifice. Now, He calls us to do the same for others.

Today, ask yourself: Is there someone in your life with whom you have built a wall? What would it look like to begin building a bridge instead? One kind word, one prayer, one act of grace could begin the process.

Love that builds bridges reflects the heart of Jesus. And when we love like Him, we become instruments of reconciliation in a divided world.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me when I was undeserving. Help me to love others with grace, patience, and humility. Teach me to build bridges instead of walls and to reflect the heart of Jesus in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.