1 John 3:18

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth

Contrary to popular opinion love is hard.

It requires us to care about someone else’s needs, comfort, well-being, and happiness over our own. Love is selfless. It requires forgiveness – over and over again.

Love encourages us to look beyond current circumstances and see the potential.

Love is challenging to say the least. But love is also well worth the effort it requires.

Love is not lazy! It is action. To “talk” love is easy. However, true love is seen in action.

Love in action is not just seeing the sick, the hungry, or the homeless. Love is working to meet help each of those needs. Love is forgiving those who have sinned against you. Love is praying for those who use and persecute you.

Love is hard and requires a lot from us all. But because a thing is hard, does not mean that thing is impossible. What it does mean, on the other side of that thing, there is victory, and spiritual growth!

Showing love exhibits God to those who may not know him, or know him to the level they need. As we show love we put God on a platform for people to see. Remember, we are the only view of God people may ever see. Our life in action should exemplify God’s love.

For this reason, as we work on God’s behalf, we are also changed. We grow and increase as we exercise the love of God that is in us. God prepares us for this duty. He must prune and shape us. This is spiritual growth – allowing the love of God to have center stage in our life.

Love is hard because it often opens us to pain. But just as the pain of the cross did not deter Jesus from dying for the world, we must not be moved either. We must sometimes endure pain to let love flow.

Yes, we could walk away and give up. But where is the victory in that? Where is the growth?

If it is of God, it is well worth the temporary pain.

True spiritual growth is all about love. Stay in the race and grow!

Have a blessed day.