“And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.”
–1 John 3:23 (NLT)
My wife Stephanie just gave me a note this morning, right after I returned home from a quick trip to the dentist. I had to get a temporary crown replaced on one of my teeth. We were having cereal for breakfast when my wife asked me, “What’s this little card?” It was a short note which pushed the dentist’s appointment out of my mind, and made me feel great.
Stephanie’s note reminded me of the power of human love. If you are anything like me, you have a bent towards the romantic. Remember watching one of those old movies where a guy and a girl meet? The scene is a moonlit beach with no one else around, and they are forcefully drawn together. Before too long, they promise to love each other forever, and never leave one another.
Human love is a very powerful thing. It can bring people together, and it will often keep them together. Love helps us to forgive each other when we have wronged our partners in some way. The love we show towards others can bring out the best in us, and in other people.
But human love, as wonderful as it is, pales in comparison to God’s love. Sadly, human love doesn’t always last as long as it should. On the other hand, God loved us before we were born. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, no matter how often we sin or mess up.
Our first priority is to invite Jesus into our lives and learn to love him, because he first loved us. Jesus really wants to get to know each of us, personally and intimately. He wants to talk to us and guide us through life, just as any good father wishes to love and advise his children. Jesus wants to celebrate with you during the good times, and help you get through the bad times. In short, he longs to be the best friend you’ve ever known and will ever have, because he loves you very much.
Once you have gotten to know Jesus, take his love out into the world. Try your best to show love to everyone. This may sound difficult, but that love should apply to your enemies as well. Jesus died as an act of forgiveness of sins for everyone in the world, and he now calls us to practice forgiveness and love as well.
The crown of love the world offers us is temporary, and its glory will not last very long. So I encourage you to get to know Jesus Christ today, or re-dedicate yourself to following God and obeying his commandments. God’s crown of love is permanent and will never fail us.
(This entry was originally posted in September of 2015.)
Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 101 S Kraemer BLVD, Suite 123A, Placentia, CA 92870.
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If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.