Love Big
I John 4:8, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
Morning! Let us come into this day with a gladness in our souls so that outwardly we will show the world how much better it can be if we just love everyone! I know you probably just winced because you know of many people that you just don’t think you can find a way to show love. But, God didn’t say you had to “rub” elbows with everyone, but to love everyone as yourself. Even if you don’t like a person’s character, or their ways of behavior, or even their beliefs; it is not for you to judge; but to only love them as they are. The other thought that just jumps up at me is, homeless people. Many can’t help their circumstances but should you not love them because they can’t bathe every day? If a girl or boy at school can’t afford the same “name brand” clothes as you, should you not love them? Just because that elderly man/woman walks too slow in the store isles, does that mean you should get frustrated and not love them? Just because your boss lives rich and you struggle just to get to work, should you not love them? God ask us to love even the least of these and also the rich who know not what humble beginnings are! First He asked us to love ourselves and many times we will falter even in that because we judge ourselves by comparing to another! Each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made; separate and individually as God intended! So you are bigger, they are smaller; you are short, they are taller; differences are why we are all unique! But God intends on us using that difference to accept anyone and everyone else as brothers and sisters in Christ. We can even find ways to better love others with kindness, mercy, and grace! First love yourself, in all your “so-called” defects, then love others with all their “so-called” defects! We should love because Jesus first loved us, even with our faults. The saying “go big or go home” should be changed to “love big and have a heavenly home”! Find comfort in knowing how loving others will benefit your physical and mental health in so many good ways! Just love BIG!
Scriptures:
Read: John 3:16, Jeremiah 31:3, John 13:34-35, Ephesians 2:4, I John 4:7-12,16,19, Romans 8:37-39, I John 3:1, Psalm 108:4, Romans 5:5,8, , Psalm 86:15, Psalm 136:26, Deuteronomy 7:9, II Thessalonians 3:5, Ephesians 3:17-19, Isaiah 41:10, Lamentations 3:22-25, I Corinthians 16:14
Prayer:
Lord, please continue to shower us with your underserving love! Thank you for giving us your son to save us from sin. Thank you for offering unconditional love no matter our situation, or our worldly status. Help us Lord daily to love ourselves so that we can love others the way you love us. Guide us daily in learning the real meaning of true love, the love you offer. Amen.