I too must love

Amanda MacQuarrie January 18, 2018 0 1

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

John 15: 9-17

9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

12 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

You called and I heard.

And the word heard is Love.

You loved me first, and so now…

If I follow where you lead, then I too must love, as you have loved me – love without counting the cost. 

But what does that mean?

What does that look like in life today? In my life today?

I love my family, my friends, my neighbours. I give to the foodbank, I support charities…

But is that it, or does it mean more?

To lay down my life, my plans?

And to follow you…

To serve…

And not just to give what is safe, comfortable, affordable…

But to offer everything.

To give even from those areas of my life where there isn’t much left in the tank, or where I guard what there is for myself?

To love those who hurt me?

To give more of my time… not just in passing, but to see, as you see…

And to be as you are – present.

With. Alongside. Dwelling in and among. Not off on my own agenda, but being present to yours… 

Lord, 

Following your call is hard. 

Sometimes you lead us where we find it hard to go,

And sometimes you ask us to let go of the things that we hold most tightly to.

Give me the courage that I need today to trust you,

To enable me to loosen my grip, even just a little, on my life.

And to be open to where you are leading me. Amen.