What Love is Meant to Be

Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. – (Romans 13:10, HCSB)

Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. – (Romans 13:10, ERV)

Does love hurt anyone? Absolutely not. In fact, love achieves everything the law requires. – (Romans 13:10, VOICE)

When we love those around us, we are walking in obedience to all that God commands. It is love that leads us along the path that the Lord has placed before us and shows us the way to navigate well. The more that we seek the Lord and receive all that He has to offer, the better equipped we are to love each person we meet. Choosing to extend kindness, is love. Believing the best in others is love. Forgiving and not holding a grudge, is love. Caring well for those around us is love. There are countless ways that we can extend love to those around us, and make God’s love tangible in places that it has been hidden. May we ever depend on the Lord to lead us in love, so that we may walk in obedience to the greatest command and show those around us what love is all about.

Love is meant to be,

Evidence of God;

Not jaded, hurtful,

Some Hallmark facade.

True love is goodness,

Kind and faithful too;

Always forgiving,

Each day it’s made new.

Patient, generous,

Full of hope each day;

In Christ, there’s enough,

To love the Lord’s way.

For as we choose love,

We do as we should;

We love others well,

And show God is good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and command us to love. Thank You that as we love You and love those around us well, we are walking in obedience to all that You command. Forgive us for each time that we have fallen short and not loved as You call us to do. Teach us how to lead with love in all that we say and do. Show us how to express Your love best to those around us, so that they might recognize Your heart in our every word and deed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to love our neighbors as You intended. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You. – Psalm 86:5

Choose Gather

“For where two or three gather in My Name, there am I with them.” – (Matthew 18:20, NIV)

“Yes, if two or three people are together believing in Me, I am there with them.” – (Matthew 18:20, ERV)

“For wherever two or three come together in honor of My Name, I am right there with them!” – (Matthew 18:20, TPT)

 

Loneliness is something nearly all of us have experienced at one time or another, as it is brought on either by isolation, or more often, by lack of true connection. We can be surrounded by people and feel completely alone. This occurs when authentic connections are not established. God has declared that it is not good for us to be alone, and that two are better than one. This is not just reserved for marriage, but for friendships and familial-like connections as well. We are created and designed to be in community. The promise is provided that when we gather in His Name, God will be with us. Though He is always present, His nearness is more tangibly known in the company of others who have gathered together with purpose. This is the intention of “church”. It is an opportunity to gather in His Name and create authentic connections with those around us. At times, the group that gathers for a church service is too large to truly connect, so it requires an additional investment of time to get to know others with whom familial connections are established. A solution that some churches have is to offer small groups; at Grace (where we are invested) they are called Life Groups. Though there is a risk in stepping out of one’s comfort zone to meet with new folks and gather together, each time I have done so, I have walked away enriched, knowing new people for whom I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know. May we intentionally choose to invest in our relationships, making fellowship a priority, so that we may know people, and in turn, be known.

Both mom and my sister are in a space of unexpected isolation. Mom, as she is away from her home and the community that she has invested in for many years; and my sister, as she works tirelessly to juggle work, family, and caring well for mom, finding there are simply not enough hours in the day to connect with the community she holds close. God is good, and can make a way where there seems to be no way. Both, are in need of His covering, care and grace, as they navigate and need community. It is my prayer that rapid healing happens, and more opportunities for outings for each of these amazing ladies occur.

 

May we choose gather,

Come close in His Name;

Discover the grace,

In Christ we can claim.

Whenever we meet,

With a heart for Him;

His presence is shown,

As love enters in.

Loneliness scatters,

As connections form;

To know and be known,

Is how hearts transform.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to be present when we gather in Your Name. Thank You that You make Your presence known. Thank You that You designed and created us for relationships. Forgive us for the times that we have either isolated ourselves or allowed others to remain in isolation when we can do something to help pull them out. Teach us how to navigate relationships well, so that we would love others in a way that knows people and helps them feel known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we invest in fellowship in the communities in which You have placed us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34