Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG
Comment
I reckon that the way I love others is affected by a number of factors. Influential amongst these is my own experience of being loved, how I feel at the time, my natural selfishness, and the example of God’s love that we read about in the Bible and see in Christ.
I wish that the last in the list above was the most influential but I’m not convinced that it always is. But I am working on it. I’ve made progress in all areas with a lot of help from God and through other people. On occasion counseling has been very helpful particularly in helping me deal with the past and how I feel about myself.
I still find my mind is stretched by the truth that the Creator of the Universe loves me enough to die for me so that He and I can be reconciled. And that His love is totally unconditional and unselfish and healing. I’d like to love like that and over time, slowly, I am changing. Aren’t we so fortunate that God’s love is at work in us HERE and NOW and we are all becoming more like Christ?
How are you doing?
I’ve given you my list; what effects the way that you love one another?
Prayer (together)
Father God, you are love. Help me to know and receive your love in a fresh way. Help me to grow in that love and to love …. (partner) in the same way. Father there are many things that can get in the way and stop me to love the way you do. God the Holy Spirit I thank you that you are at work in me. Please nudge me to recognise the changes you want me to make. For I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer (for others)
Father God, we lift up …. and …. to you. Please help them both to know and receive the love that you have them. Please help them to deal with any barriers that stop them loving one another on the way that you love them. Father please help all your followers to love each other your way. For we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Quote
“In God there is no hunger that needs to be filled, only plenteousness that desires to give.”
