"THE WEEKLY WORD"

    Above all, put on love, which binds everyone and everything together in perfect unity. - Colossians 3:14

 Kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, patience. Each of those things on their own takes quite a bit of work in a world which calls us to be better than everyone else, and to seek prosperity and importance. However, they are all qualities of what being a Christian is all about.

       However, if we go deeper than those nuggets for spiritual living named earlier in Colossians 3:12, there’s one that covers it all. Love. And that is what our verse calls us to today. One may find it hard to always be kind, compassionate, or humble, or gentle or patient, especially given different things we rest in. However, everyone knows the term love, and we all benefit and are blessed by love.

       True, all of us have different ideas of what love looks like. But don’t you think when you’re loved, you know it? In the same way, don’t you think when someone else is loved by you, they’ll know it, and you’ll know it too! Yes, we might not always be told our love is there or it’s appreciated, but it’s still very much a present idea between you and I. Even if we’re not always articulate, we’re always aware if love is truly there!

       It is hard for some people to say the words, I love you. It feels awkward. In the same way it feels quite natural to others. There are challenges in both ways. Those who do not say it much are invited to realize the impact behind the words and to enjoy saying them when they really feel them and mean them. In the same way, when those who freely share the words do so, they must be able to affirm them by backing them up in all ways, or else it becomes just empty speech.

       My friends, as God’s people, God’s church, followers, and disciples of Jesus, it should be our joy to feel the love of Jesus and offer it freely, however we can. We are invited for his love to be our outer garment in life no matter what happens, no matter who we’re around!

       So, smile and enjoy God has created love for us to draw on in the first place. I love you. Jesus tells us that every day in so many ways. Let us love him, and affirm his words to us, by loving others. Remember, even if we don’t always love being kind, compassionate, humble, gentle, or patient in life, we are always loving Jesus in this way, his way of love!

To God be the glory

Pastor Brandon