Love Others

 

Continuing the ‘love’ theme this week, we move from God’s love for us to our love for others.  I thought this verse was particularly appropriate as we search to express love to others.  As I wake up each morning, I strive to live my day with God’s love shown to others through me.  As much as I may reflect to ensure my actions spoke my faith loud and clear throughout the day, I can’t say that is always the case.  In fact, I can guarantee it is not.  Good intentions are taken over by lack of patience, pride and a myriad of other behaviors that are not God’s love in action.

This verse made me step back to think about what actioning God’s love really means. 

• ·       Paul is very clear from the first word in this verse that I need to “do”.  Not reflect, not plan, not ‘make a list’, but get up and DO!  Time to act!
• ·       The next word is just as powerful – EVERYTHING.  Paul states that it is not my role to pick and choose what I want to do in love, but that all my actions are rooted in love!  Tall order, isn’t it?
• ·       Lastly, the word of the week, LOVE!  Paul isn’t giving us an option of acting with kindness or empathy or productivity.  He wants us to do everything in love. 

We have a wonderful example of this in Jesus.  Jesus did everything in love, from His birth to His death.  His actions, His words, His gestures, all came from love.  He loved every person He encountered, even when the world told Him not to.  Friends, it is this example that we need to follow. 

It may be difficult to action love in all aspects of our lives.  People have hurt us, rejected us, or maybe even abused us.  We all have situations that have affected our lives and build us into the people we are today.  Yet our Lord is asking us to live as He lived and not let the devil take over our lives.  We will stumble and fall.  I know I certainly have in pursuing the mission of doing everything in love.  Jesus knows that and is ready to pick us up, dust us off and have us continue on the love path.

Take some time to think about how we can show love in everyday aspects of our lives.  While making a child’s lunch put in a note to let them know you love them.  Instead of picking up your phone to scroll through social media, call a friend.   If you are going to get a coffee, ask a colleague to go with you.  While saying grace over dinner, give thanks for not just the food, but the people you are eating with.  Love can be actioned in so many ways.  Let us get moving and do everything in love!

Video that complements this post:  Love Others

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being a wonderful example how we can do everything in love.  May the Holy Spirit move us to walk in this way.  Amen!