I So Love You!

This is the message you have heard from the beginning:  we should love one another.”  I John 3:11

Love.  It is a many-billion a year industry.  We have florist shops, candy shops, greeting card shops, balloon shops and many more types of industries based in the industry of love.  Love based “chick flicks” gross untold millions each year in movie theaters.  Romance books leap off bookstore shelves.  We love love!      

At least we love the idea of being in love and being loved by others.  But the truth is that love is no easy task.  Love is not for wimps.  Love is for the few, the strong, the dedicated.  (Said tongue in cheek). 

“God is love.” (I John 4:16)  He epitomizes all that is love.  And when we are born again children of God, he expects us to show love in this world as well.  It is relatively easy to love our new-born babies.  It is easy to love a husband or wife who dotes on us.  But how well do we love the unlovely?  The rude people, the selfish people, the pushy people?

Love is an action word.  It is so much more than a feeling.  Love will cause you to say you are sorry, when you are not even wrong. Just to restore peace.  Love will cause you to watch movies you are not interested in, go to sporting events that you detest and put weeds in a vase, because your child gave it to you.  Love is the jumping off point for a lot of the things that we do.

We all struggle with showing love all the time and to everyone.  But it is proof that we are His disciple.  It is a mark to aim for in our daily lives.  So today as life gives you opportunity to become angry and retaliatory, choose instead to walk in love.  To the grumpy clerk, extend mercy.  To the inconsiderate driver, pray that God will spare their lives long enough for them to gain some sense!  If we are not out in this world showing the Father’s love, it is not being shown.  He left us behind to finish what he began.  The most famous verse in all the bible begins:  “For God so loved the world…”  (John 3:16).  Go forth, child of God and so love the world!

Dear Lord, help me to walk in love today and show your love to people who feel unloved and invisible.  Love through me.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri