How do we love one another?

05-19-2019Weekly Reflection

In our Small Christian Community we often discuss how simple and straight forward Christ’s instructions are. How easy His directives are to understand. And despite this; how challenging they can be to follow and live. This week’s Gospel is a prime example. Jesus tells his disciples, and by extension each of us: “My children, I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”

Now, Christ’s love isn’t puppy-dogs, rainbows and unicorns. Christ’s love means putting the good of the other above your own. It’s sacrificial. It’s heroic. This is why I say discipleship is an action word. It’s not thinking. It’s doing… doing His will.

Living a life of service and self-sacrifice is not easy. It requires us to continuously fight against our selfish inclinations. But, the more we empty ourselves of “self” by serving others, the more room we make in our hearts for God to pour His grace into us. The more we depend on God the easier and more fulfilling this sacrificial lifestyle becomes. It builds momentum. The key is making that first most difficult step.

Sometimes an intentional change in perspective can help make that first step easier. We often think of sacrifice and service as giving our time or our money. But it’s not ours. It’s God’s. We are merely stewards of these blessings.

Being a steward is a foreign concept in our times. Kelly & I are real estate investors and I think this role provides a close model. When our investors make an investment with us they expect us to use their funds specifically for their benefit and we’re expected to return those funds back to them with a profit. This is exactly how we need to treat our blessings from God.

As His stewards, He expects us to treat everything we are, and have, as His. He expects us to invest His gifts, that is use them, for His benefit—bringing others to Him and building His kingdom on earth.

How can you use your God-given gifts to love one another here at St Rose? (bit.ly/StRose_Ministries for ideas).

He Is Risen. Alleluia!