I Corinthians 16:14 ESV
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Colossians 3:14 ESV
Sometimes I think in today’s world love is our most precious commodity and is often the most forgotten emotion.
Today when we think of love we often only think of romantic love or love for family and friends.
We don’t tend to think of loving those we meet on the street. We don’t think about loving the unlovable.
The Apostle Paul, writing in the 1st Century said in I Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.”
The words, “let all you do” be done in love were meant to be all encompassing. Paul wasn’t speaking hypothetically. I think he literally meant to let every thought, every action, every purpose be done with God’s love in mind.
When I think about our world today instead of an all pervasive love I see people who are afraid. I see a world of people trying to protect themselves from being hurt.
I also have found that love today is sometimes looked at with suspicion. I see a whole lot of fear. I suspect that because of fear, we tend to avoid close contact.
In many instances it’s a world of UN love.
So, how can we be change agents in a world that is filled with fear? How can we push past that fear in order to be a people of love?
After all, isn’t that really what scripture says? Aren’t we urged by God to spread love?
2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
There’s a song I used to sing in Children’s Church based on that scripture.
God has not given us a Spirit of fear.
God has NOT given us a Spirit of fear.
God has not GIVEN us a Spirit of fear.
But of power, and of love, and a sound mind.
The scripture and the song tell us we are not about fear…but through the Spirit, God offers us power, God gives us love, God promises a sound mind.
In order for us to receive what God has for us we need to practice receiving God’s love. The best way to receive what God has for us is by spending time with God.
We sit with God.
Sitting in silence with God is an ancient practice, but silence is not revered in many of today’s circles. Because of that, silence it takes practice.
Silence requires patience.
Silence required us to be open to receive what God has for us.
If you are up for the challenge sit comfortably. Turn off the noise in your space. Ask God to fill you with love for Him. Then ask God to fill you with His love for yourself. Next, ask God to fill you with love for others.
Remember when we turn to God, just once, the Spirit of God is in us. God is IN you.
As you practice receiving God’s love, receiving love for yourself, and receiving God’s love for others, you will begin to think about others in new ways. More than likely, you will think about love. You will have a desire to experience more of God’s love.
Colossians 3:14 says, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
In the silence you can experience harmony.
One theme throughout scripture that comes up again and again is the harmony of God’s love. God’s love is available to everyone all over the world. You do not need to say certain words or believe specific things. Everything stems from God’s love.
The most important element of love is that it’s no accident that it’s referred to as God’s love. It comes from God. When we ask for love and open our hands to God we receive it.
We do not have to work to receive it.
We do not need to conjure it up.
When you ‘think’ God the Spirit of the Living God is IN you.
It’s a gift.
We only need a little time of silence with God and our open hands.
Today’s Spiritual Practice: Love
Spend time in silence with God. Ask God to fill you with love. Either love for God, love for yourself, or love for a specific person.
Thank God for the gift.
In God, Deborah
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