 February, 2008
It is wonderful to be loved, isn’t it?...
It is wonderful to be loved, isn’t it? Not everyone has experienced the joy of being loved, but God can use us to convey His love to those around us. In fact, as I mentioned in the message this past Sunday, one of the ways to show someone we value them is to love and accept them. The Bible clearly communicates to us that God loves us with an “everlasting love”. He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us so we could become a “new creation” and receive “eternal life”. How we respond to others says a lot about how much we respect and love them. The truth is that our society is often one of disrespect and rudeness toward others. Writer David McCasland talks about how rudeness is on the rise. He quotes a past director of the national Commisson on Civic Renewal as saying, “There is an overwhelming consensus among American people that basic norms of good conduct have deteriorated in this country.” In fact, some have concluded that disrespect has become an epidemic. Have you noticed disrespect where you have been from time to time? … maybe where you live, or where you work, or where you shop, or on the highway, or at sporting events? Most of us have probably seen the reports of parents beating up coaches or professional sports figures injuring one another because of what they thought was a bad or unfair call by the umpire or referee. The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians reminds us of the way God’s love can give us the power to value and respect others, and love them in a way they are not accustomed to being loved. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged…Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance”. (New Living Translation) The Message, by Eugene Peterson, paraphrases part of those verses this way: “Love doesn’t keep score of the sins of others.” Sometimes we may think of love as just some lofty ideal or an eternal spirit quality that is nice but not always practical, and we forget that the love God puts deep within us is designed to help us show courtesy and consideration toward everyone we meet. Wouldn’t it be great if, at a time when “rudeness is on the rise”, we would ask God to give us the courage and power to begin an “epidemic of love?” That would help us to continue the process of fulfilling OUR MISSION, which is “to demonstrate God’s love to all people, leading them to embrace Jesus Christ, and helping them grow to maturity in Him.” I hope you will experience the joy of receiving and giving love during the month of February, when much of the focus is on the idea of love. May God help all of us live out the instructions of His Word in 1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply...”, so that those around us will experience the reality of God’s life transforming love. Have a wonderful day. I look forward to seeing you for great times of worship from Sunday to Sunday, and don’t forget, YOU ARE LOVED! |