...And the greatest of these is love
(1 Corinthians 13:13).
It’s February, or “Loveuary” to use the term coined by Hallmark. February 14, or Valentine’s Day, serves as a reminder to let others know we love them. But doesn’t it mean so much more when we express those feelings without being prompted? After all, we are to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. The Golden Rule, found in Matthew 7:12, is a relatively short verse that many of us likely memorized as children. In fact, it is a direct commandment that appears eleven times in the Bible with supporting Scripture telling us how and why it’s important. We are to love and care for others in the same way we desire to be loved and cared for.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God” (1 John 4:7).
It seems commonsense, yet it can be so difficult. We are all God’s children made in his image, and we are called to love. Even when we disagree. Even when we are different. Even when we don’t have the time or the inclination.
We are called to love and treat others as we wish to be treated.
Love is an action.
Here at Berean, there were many times in the past year when I saw love in action. I think of the love shown to one of our staff member’s families when she passed away recently. People rallied around this young family to simply show they cared. Meals were prepared, acts of service were performed in big and small ways, and people made themselves available as listeners, chauffeurs, and to relieve the pressure that had built from the loss of this wife, mom, friend, daughter, mentor, and sister. Not everyone knew the family personally, but they recognized the void caused by her loss. They knew that if the roles were reversed they would want the same level of support.
I think of the love demonstrated in December through the gifting of Christmas presents purchased for our HopeKids and Neighbors families. I had the opportunity to watch a family choose gift tags off the tree and match the ages and genders of the recipients to those of their own kids. They were looking for a way to serve a family they would likely never meet and model love in action for their own children. This modeling of love by parents and grandparents for their children helped to plant seeds that will later grow and flourish. I watched the smiles of the gift-givers as they brought their gifts to the church, some handmade but ALL carefully chosen to honor the recipients and put the exclamation point behind their act of love.
I think of the volunteer who came in after a particularly bad storm last fall to help with clean up so that our church family and those visiting on Sunday would be warmly welcomed to a safe and well-cared-for campus. No one called and asked them to come, but they dedicated their time to clear all the hazards left behind by the storm. They simply saw a need and wanted to put their time and resources to good use.
These represent some of the times when we “got it right.” There are scores of other examples as well - from the unexpected note of encouragement to the sharing of a smile, from the blessing of a warm cup of coffee and a cookie on a cold winter day to the offer of unsolicited assistance - ALL express different ways of caring for others.
Love blesses the recipient AND the giver.
We need each other. The real treasure in helping, loving, serving, and caring for others is the blessing that happens to the initiator. If our motive is pure, the reward comes back in spades! I am not talking about some tangible blessing or expectation that says, “If I give you this, then you will owe me that.” I’m talking about the simple joy that comes when you show love.
Think of how it feels when you give someone exactly what they need at the right moment or the satisfaction in knowing that you made someone’s day. It isn’t about having someone gush over your kindness – I mean that just gets awkward. It’s more about the heart change that occurs within us when we follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I can’t think of a single time when I regretted showing love and kindness to others, but I can think of numerous times when I let an opportunity go by and I missed the chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
We are shown the greatest example of love by Jesus who gave his entire self for a people who would never fully understand his sacrifice or be able to reciprocate that love. He knew that we would reject him and not appreciate his act of love, yet he loved us anyway.
Consider these thoughts about love.
“The beauty and blessing of loving others and putting others’ needs before our own is illustrated throughout the Bible. Living a life of unselfed love and blessing others becomes natural when we realize what we are as the spiritual expressions of an all-loving God” (Susan S. Collins).
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes: 4:9-12).
Loving others doesn't have to be complicated.
Are you looking for ideas to love and care for others? If you attend church here at Berean, there are a few simple ways for you to get started. Consider these ideas to be the hands and feet of Jesus:
1. Sign up to be a funeral host or special event volunteer by connecting with us here.
2. Participate in School-A-Palooza on August 13, 2022. You can do this by:
- Donating
- Serving
- Becoming a local missionary
3. Set a goal to make the world a nicer place each day:
- Smile
- Pay it forward
- Be unoffendable
Begin loving others right where you are!
Every day we cross paths with many different people. Loving others doesn't have to happen only within the walls of Berean or wherever we go to church. Love is about people and relationships. Wherever we see people - whether it be at the coffee shop, the gym, the grocery store, or on the street walking our dog - that is our opportunity to be a blessing. We don't have to wait for Valentine's Day or the month of "Loveuary" to spread the love. Wherever we live, work, play, and do life is our chance to share hope and shine the light of Jesus. When we do this, it just might bring a little more joy to our own lives as well. Let's not miss it!
Read More about Jesus' example of Love:
