Note:
This
is a Guest Post used with permission from Guest Author Lisa
Burkhardt
Worley
at www.pearlsofpromiseministries.com.
“Love
must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted
to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be
lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with
the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans
12:9-13).
It
was the body of Christ in action. I was one of the speakers at a
beautifully planned women’s spring brunch. There were decorated
tables, an amazing spread of food, great music, and I received a
double portion of blessing from the other two teachers who shared.
But
what made this event most memorable was the love I felt as a visitor
coming into a new place.
Hug
after hug after hug. Any nervousness I felt melted away as the women
of this congregation greeted me in sincere love.
It
reminded me of a time years ago, in Connecticut, when I was flat on
my back in my career, and dry spiritually. I decided our family
needed to connect with a church again, so I randomly chose one to
attend.
Our
last church-going experience in New York was negative. It was one of
those mornings where our young son was fussy, and a man behind us
shushed him angrily, in an unloving way. We didn’t attend church
again while living in New York.
But
a couple years later, we decided to try it again, and the minute we
walked in the door of this Fairfield, Connecticut congregation, we
felt welcome. A woman put her arm around us, connected me with women
my age who participated in a Bible study, and because of her
hospitality, I began a long journey that would eventually lead me
into full-time ministry.
I
wonder what would have happened if no one reached out that day? Would
we have walked away from church as we did a couple of years prior to
this?
But
one unselfish act of love made the difference, and changed my life.
In
his letter to the Romans, Paul said we should be devoted to one
another in love, and practice hospitality.
When
someone new sits near you in church, do you stay to yourself, or do
you greet them warmly? You may be a little shy like I am, or you may
fear rejection.
Dear
sister, maybe you’ve been so beaten up by life that you don’t
feel you have the capacity to love. Pray for God to increase your
capacity. He will be faithful to do that.
We
need to practice love. God calls us to get out of our box, and let
our love flow to others. If someone doesn’t warm up to your hug,
hug someone else. There are plenty of people who crave a loving
touch.
Why
is it important to love those we encounter? “We love because he
first loved us” (1John 4:19). In this passage, John is
saying we cannot love God, then reject our brother or sister. Loving
others is a byproduct of our love for God. One cannot exist without
the other.
John
also says this is how people will know we are Christians, by the love
we have for each other (John 13:35).
Do
people know you because of your love? What about your church? Your
workplace? Your groups? Is love evident there?
The
most thriving congregations, ministries, and relationships are
founded on love, and it is through that love we draw others to the
God of hope we embrace.
Will
you practice love today? Your warm hug could be the difference in
someone’s life. (LBW)
End
Of Guest Post
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