Today’s Reading: John 15:12-13 (NIV)
12 [Jesus said,] “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Good morning!
On my cell phone, I saved a priceless voice mail message from my soon-to-be two year old granddaughter Madison Marie. She called me over the weekend just to say hello! Her message sounded like this: “Hi’ya Ma Caw! Ma Caw! I wuv wu! Wuv wu! (giggle) Ma Caw! I wuv wu! Bye bye!” This grandmother had absolutely no difficulty understanding the message. Madison is a quite the girly girl! She has no trouble expressing herself, and if you watch her facial expressions, she will let you know exactly what she means. When Maddie wants something, everyone knows it! She is a busy bundle of light and life. Whenever I’m with my granddaughter, I see love in action.
My mother and I sat together on the sofa and watched as Hurricane Gustav barreled onto the Louisiana and Mississippi shores Monday morning. Cities had been evacuated; volunteers spent countless hours last week helping folks leave and find a safe place to stay while the storm passed through. Medical professionals and service personnel stayed behind to help with clean up efforts and care for those who could not leave due of extreme illness and infirmity. Work will resume as soon as it is safe for residents to return, and people from all over the United States will reach out and lend a helping hand. People will place their lives on the line to help a neighbor in need. This is love in action.
How do we learn to love each other? There is no greater love than the love of Jesus Christ. He came to demonstrate the Father’s love for all, and did so in the most unusual way. He put others first, even when it cost Him his earthly life. Christ’s perfect love is a love unlike any other you will experience this side of heaven. Perfect love dispels fear; it hopes and endures and never, ever fails. Once you’ve experienced the amazing love of Jesus Christ, you cannot help but want to share His love with the world around you.
We begin to see Christ-like love blossom in the life of a little child, just like our sweet Maddie. She may not be able to say the name Jesus just yet, but He knows and loves her and she hears His voice. Jesus will be there to guide her every step as she grows and learns and becomes all that He has created her to be. It is that same love that compels folks to reach out, love unconditionally, and help our neighbors in need. We are the body of Christ and this is love in action.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO
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