The Power of Now
Sitting here at my desk doing my devotional for the day, I began searching through previous days and the messages they carried. Currently, I am reading Live in Grace - Walk in Love by Bob Goff. This book is all about simplifying God’s message into our true purpose - loving others. Throughout the past weeks I have been captured by so many interesting and relatable points, and I wanted to share a few that resonated with me.
Our faith isn’t all we say we believe but rather what we do next
Being a Christian should not be about “how committed” you are to the Lord. Instead, we should begin to focus on everything we choose to do with our resources. Of course, we must continue to come back to him and his promises, for he is the only person who can provide us with grace and answers in each moment. However, following Jesus isn’t about claiming your relationship, but rather living in accordance with scriptures. In order to do this, we must truly follow his word and begin loving others the way Jesus did. John 1:43 simply states: “Follow me.”
Jesus did His best work in secret - big love does not need to attract big attention.
Not only are we called to follow the Lord and live a life in love, but we are to do it as Jesus did: selflessly. So often we can become so raveled up in the busyness of everyday life that we lose sight of others and their needs. Our time is precious, and thus we create the faulty illusion that doing things for others must come with some reward. With the Lord, however, joy is the reward. True joy can only be found in him, not from an applause by the world. Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Selfless love is costly, but it is never forgotten.
Love is simple. Love everyone, Always.
I think this truth can resonate with anyone these days. Today we live in a world of constant hatred towards others. Sure, it can be hard to understand others with different opinions or beliefs. However, the Lord didn’t say it would be easy… he just said to love everyone always. The people we find most difficult are loved by the same God we love. In Matthew chapter 9, Jesus sits down and eats lunch with the sinners and tax collectors. Not only this, but he spent his whole life engaging with the people we continually “avoid” in life. God is not a God of judgement, but love. After all, we ought to strive to be like this.
With all of this, God serves as a reminder that he we are his children. We are here to set an example of his love, and the only way we can do this is by loving everyone. We have to stop waiting for the “perfect time”. We have the choice for it to be the perfect time, and I think that is the great gift of the power of now. Now is the time for us to break the barriers between sin and death and go into a life filled with love :)
Thedailydoseofjesus!
XO,
Frances
