Walk in Love

Love. No other word carries with it more connotations. Just one word stirs up so many thoughts, feelings, and emotions in each individual. One word carries with it the power to change one’s life entirely. Many have done crazy and bold things, for the sake of love. Many have sacrificed everything, for love. And many have ruined their own lives, as well as others, for the sake of love. But, what is love, really?
A Tale of Two Loves
In Ephesians 5:1-7, Paul talks about the difference between God’s idea of love and the world’s idea of love. Even though Paul was writing this letter to first century Christians, his words and ideas are still relevant to us today. As I read this passage, I notice two contrasting themes.
God’s idea of “love” is Selfless and Sacrificial. God selflessly gave up His Son, Jesus, who, in turn, voluntarily came to this earth, in accordance with His Father’s plan, and selflessly served mankind. Jesus then became the ultimate sacrifice that was necessary to atone for our sins and bring us into right standing with God. This is God’s idea of “love” - selfless and sacrificial. As Christians, this is the kind of love that Paul admonishes us to walk in and demonstrate in this world (Eph. 5:2).
However, the world’s idea of love is quite the opposite - it is Selfish and Sensual, seeking to please only one’s own feelings and desires, with no concern for others. This kind of “love” exhibits itself in sexual immorality, impurity (impure thoughts, deeds and speech), and greed (for both material things and continual sensual fulfillment), which leads to idolatry and setting up one’s self as god.
Walk in Love
So how are we, as Christians, expected to “walk in love” and show the world God’s idea of love? First, we are called to “reject the concept of love expressed in local culture” (IST 109). Our culture tells us that “love” can be interpreted and shown in many different ways: romantic feelings, one night stands, co-habitation, homosexual relationships. It’s all about the here and now - “if it feels good, do it” - selfish and sensual.
However, if we are to exhibit God’s love in this world, we must first exchange the attitude of “it’s all about me” for the mindset that “it’s all about God and what He’s done for me” - selfless and sacrificial - which leads me to the second way we are to walk in love.
We “must demonstrate God’s love in [our] relationships with others” (IST 110). We need to follow Christ’s example and be selfless and sacrificial in our relationships. We must be so overcome with God’s love for us that we want to share it with all those we come in contact with. God’s love is contagious and we are the vehicles that God uses to spread it around the world.
Exercise Discernment
However, we must exercise discernment in developing relationships with others, even with fellow Christians. Paul warns us against those who would try to “deceive [us] with empty words. You know those people I’m talking about, those who, shall we say, “sit on the fence”, and have one foot in the church and one foot in the world? Those who try to get us to justify our behaviors that are improper for Christians to be exhibiting. Paul implores us: “Do not be partners with them” - don’t have anything to do with those people! But why?
Ephesians 5:6 tells us that “God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient”. Many times, we think that we can be the stronger one in the relationship, and bring others to our level. Really? Things rarely work that way. It’s always easier to be pulled down a level than to pull someone up to your level. I know; I’ve been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. That’s why Paul warns us so strongly to run from relationships like these. He understood that when we hang around people like that and we get pulled down, we often fall into temptation and sin, leading to God’s wrath on our lives.
A New Perspective
As we desire to grow in relationship with others, and deepen our relationship with God, we will better understand what love really is - God’s love - not only for us, but also for the whole world. Our perspective will change and we will become better at showing love for and receiving love from others. Christians should be the best lovers out there, because we have received the greatest love of all - selfless and sacrificial. What have we to lose by giving it away and encouraging others to experience the same?


Thoughts to Ponder
How do you think of ‘love’ and share it with others? God’s way or the world’s way?

Are you a vehicle for God’s love in this world? If not, pray that God would show you His love and open doors of opportunity to share His love with others.

Are there relationships in your life that need to be cut off so you can better experience and exhibit God’s love?

I Want What's Best, Even If It's Hard To Wait For

On Sunday, I was listening to the pastor preach about God directing our steps and then I heard the song, "Walk on Water" by Britt Nicole. As I listened to these lyrics, I wondered, "How am I supposed to tell the difference between waiting for the Lord's leading and waiting because I'm afraid to step out?" I mean, in my own life, I have no direction yet from the Lord as to where to go or what to do, but I'm questioning whether it's because He hasn't spoken or it's because I'm afraid to take a step out of my boat where I'm comfortable. Even as I write this, I'm wondering, "What am I so afraid of?" I don't know. All the "what if's" come and skate around in my head.

Especially, what if it's something I kinda want to do just to show everyone that I can do it, that I can "be something". But this would bring glory to myself and not to God, defeating my purpose of living for God's glory, not my own. I think God wants me to learn to be content in ALL things...including "being" me and whatever he leads me to, and remembering that it's not what I do or don't do that gives me value. I thought I'd learned this lesson before, but apparently not entirely.

Today, I'm clinging to Isaiah 48:17 - "This is what the Lords says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'" God is teaching me what is best for me - only He knows what's truly best for me. What I think is best might only be God's good, and I want God's best, nothing else. So I need to learn from Him what's best for ME, not anyone else...ME. I think when I learn that "Father knows best", He will begin to direct my steps in the way I should go and doors will open that I never thought could possibly open, reminding me that with God, all things are possible (Luke 1:37).

What Now, Lord?

Never in my life have I been so, shall we say, clueless. I mean, I really have no idea what to do with my life. I've graduated with my Biology degree and I'm asking God, "Now what?" But I have yet to get an answer. Everytime I look at job announcements and think about putting in my resume for different things - from lab techs to administrative assistants - I get so overwhelmed and just so unsure of what will happen. I know God desires that I trust him completely - with the known and the unknowns of life. But just because I know that's what He wants and is the right thing to do, it doesn't make it any easier to do.

God has also revealed to me, now more than ever, that I am called to ministry, but how and where and when and what??? I don't know that either.
Before my college semester ended, I knew that I would have a summer of trusting God and getting to know him more intimately. Now I'm smack in the middle of this time in my life, just waiting to hear his voice and follow his lead. While I'm waiting, I am getting involved in as much ministry as possible this summer. I'm leading worship at my church on Wednesday nights every other week, I'm helping out with Sidewalk Sunday School and VBS, and I'm helping out in the office as well. I really love doing anything ministry-oriented and I'm excited about these things this summer.

So even though I may not see the big picture, I can see little snapshots that evidence God's working in and through me to accomplish his plan for my life. I know it's a good plan, to give me hope and a future (Jer. 29:11). I stand on his promise that he is always with me (Heb. 13:5) and he will guide my steps.

My question for you today is this: What are you waiting on God to do in your life? Don't give up trusting in him. God is never late, but always on time. Faith is the vehicle by which we get from where we are to where we want to be. Have faith today: the best is yet to come!

What's next?

I graduated from UMBC on Monday, May 24th. I sat at my Commencement and soaked it all in, thoroughly enjoying my graduation day. As I sat there, listening to the valedictorian and President Hrabrowski, I realized that I was about to embark on a new season of my life, one that did not involve college (for now). This is hard for me to imagine, since I have always been enrolled in some form of academia for the last 20 years of my life.

So what does this new season hold for me? Many people ask me what my plans are, now that I've graduated. To be honest, I don't know. Although I may not know what my future holds, I know who holds my future. I am taking this summer and dedicating it to the Lord to hear what His plans are for me. I want to do what the Lord wants me to do, and I have not yet received any clear direction. I'm waiting on God and trusting that He has a good plan for me, one that is full of hope and good things (Jeremiah 29:11). I trust that He will open doors for me to walk through and close the doors that aren't for me. This isn't always easy. I'm holding to God's Word, especially Psalm 143:8-11, which says:
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I run to you to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing. 11 For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress

My question for you is this: Are you waiting on the Lord and trusting Him to lead you?

If so, keep waiting and trust in His perfect timing. His plans for you are good!

Live your Life!!

Life is to be lived actively, not passively. Too many people just exist and let their life pass them by, often without even realizing it. I've been there. But I reached a point in my life where I realized I was not living the life I wanted to be living, the life I had envisioned for myself. I wasn't happy, and I had no peace or direction. I made a decision to change. And my life hasn't been the same. I surrendered everything to Jesus. I now walk in His strength, and I have joy that surpasses happiness because it's not dependent on my circumstances. I have peace and a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

Jesus said in John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I have that life! And I am living it to the full! As I share my life with you, my readers, I hope that you will come to have this life and live it to the full. I hope you can find encouragement, not only from my past, but also from my future; and may you find strength to make the changes necessary to live the life you want to live. Don't live passively. You only have one life to live - so live it!

My question for you is this: Are you living the life you want to be living?

If not, do something about it!