The Intentionality of Love
Good Morning,
Here is another throwback song. Haha You can tell how old it is by the video quality.
Love by Kirk Franklin featuring Cece Winans.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:7-17
Fam, love has to be intentional.
Love is more than a fleeting feeling. Love is a verb. Love is an active, continued, and sustained investment in the well-being of another. Love is taking the time to see past your needs to be present to the people around you. Love is sacrificial.
This scripture tells us that "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
And Romans 5:8 tells us "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
So you see, Christ didn't just teach his disciples about love in word. He lived it out in action when He chose to lay down His own life for us to be redeemed and reconciled to God, but also in turn, made a way for humanity to be truly reconciled to one another-not in a superficial or artificial way, but in a way that seeks to stand with each other in the difficulties of life and chooses to love one another.
The call of the Christian faith is an invitation to abide in Christ's love. Note that God has already chosen to love us not as a result of who we are or anything that we've done, but because of who He is. In this faith walk, we are not seeking to earn God's love. We live in response to the love that He has already shown us. And as we choose to actively seek God, to make time to sit in His presence, and to soak in His word, He transforms us from the inside out and gives us the grace and strength that we need to see each other and love each other.
And fam, especially in difficult times like these where people seem to be acutely feeling the weight of the hatred and brokenness of the world, we need healers, reconcilers, and lovers. We need people to be the redeemed people who are living in the love of God to reach out to those who are hurting around us that we may be present to one another and that we may be Christ's hands and feet of healing for each other.
I know that so many of us our struggling right now that it's hard to find the time to care for yourself let alone care for others. I understand that. I think it takes a lot of wisdom to know when it's time to focus on self-care and when to be present to others, but also know that the two aren't mutually exclusive. Often as we make and take time to share life with others, to ask them how they are doing and to actually wait for an answer, and to give them permission to share their struggles, they do the same for us. And as we carry each other's burdens and invite God in the midst, we learn how to heal one another. We need each other right now.
I invite you to think and pray about the following: to whom is God calling you right now? Who does He want to give you the strength to love, and who is He calling you to share your burdens with-to no longer keep them to yourself that you may give yourself permission to be free and to heal? I pray that God will help us to take the time to be present to one another in our time of need knowing that not only are we better for it, but that also, in doing so, we reflect His love, character, and selflessness.
May God give us the grace to choose the intentionality of love.
Have a great day.
In Him,
Bola
