Love… and who God is.
During the month of February, Monday Meditations will be looking at how we, as Corpath members, are called to show love to different people and in different ways. Some of the thoughts over the next few weeks might surprise you.
Traditionally, February is the month of love. It’s the month that we celebrate Valentine’s Day and express love to a significant other in typically romantic ways.
On this day, I try to provide my wife with things that appeal to her senses. Chocolate to taste and flowers to smell. Maybe something that feels soft and comfortable to wear. I express words of affection for her to hear. Lastly, I would like to think that just her looking at me would appeal to her visual senses, however, a nice restaurant that is nicely decorated and well appointed is likely more appreciated.
While these efforts to deliver a meaningful experience are noteworthy, I can’t help but think there is something more that love is meant to be and do.
This week, we want to lay the foundation for how we can explore the topic of ”love”. To do this, we need to adequately define exactly what love is.
Let’s start here…
There are many scriptures that fall into the “Bible hall of fame”, and, no doubt, the love chapter is indeed one of them.
1 Corinthians 13 gives us a beautiful checklist of what love is to be. Specifically, it says that love does the following:
It is patient and kind
It is not boastful, proud or rude
It does not demand its own way
It is not easily offended
It keeps no record of being wronged
It rejoices in the truth
It never gives up and never loses faith
It is hopeful
It endures through all things
I know you have read this list before. It’s not new to you. The ideas we will explore over the next few weeks will refer to this list as we strive to find creative ways of looking at the topic of love.
When we read the checklist above, we read it as a list of verbs. These are action statements. What if we were to read this list as character statements?
For instance, replace the word “it“ with the word “God”. Now, we get a sense of the character of God. If God is love, then he indeed embodies all of these things. Go back and read the list in this way and see what messages it brings to you.
Admittedly, when I read the list, there are a couple of statements that I am finding hard to get over. For instance, does God really forget all my wrongs? From my human point of view, this seems really hard to do. Maybe even impossible. But faith says I need to believe that he does.
It also says that he never gives up and endures with me through all things. This is incredible to me. Why would a sovereign God of the universe have complete commitment to me, an imperfect human, in all things? I simply don’t understand that. this truly shows the character of God, and who he is, despite who I am.
Q: In what ways do you find it hard to believe that God completely loves you?
1 John 4:7-8 says,” Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
In this passage, we learn that we are commanded to love. It’s not an option. In fact, we are to love because God loved us first and love comes from him.
Acting with love in all situations is the best way to show we are children of God. This is what separates us from the world. It shows there is a better way of doing things. Love sees the person as more important than the situation.
This passage also says that when we do not show love, we act outside of God‘s plan. Acting in unloving ways proves there is more we need to do to grow closer to him.
Q: When others see me, do they see a child of God that always acts in love?
For this week, just take some time to realize that God is a God of love. He created it. He is it. And he gives it freely to each one of us. Be mindful of the ways in which he expresses love to you. Also, strive to be acutely aware of your actions with those closest to you. Show them you are first a child of God by expressing love at all times.
My Prayer:
Heavenly father, I thank you for your love to me. You have shown me so many times, and in so many ways, that your love is endless and magnificent. You have shown me soft love and sometimes tough love. I pray that I would be a giver of love to those near me this week. Thank you for this message today. Amen.
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
Email: president@corpath.ca
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
