Have you ever thought about what you want to be known for? Cause lately I’ve been thinking….what do I want to be known for?
Some people are known for running really fast,
Some people are for being a really talented gymnast,
Some people are remembered for their beautiful art,
And some are remembered for being really really smart,
Others are known for their ability to dance,
Or act or sing, or even romance,
Yet others still invent and create,
While some are really good at being able to debate,
When I look at this list,
I really must insist,
That I do not want to be known for any of the above,
In fact, all it is I really want to be known for is LOVE
That is really what I want to be known for… LOVE. Yeah, that’s right! L. O. V. E. Extravagant love! I also know that it is something that, on my own, I am incapable of. The only way we can truly and honestly love ourselves and those around us is through God…..because God is love
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
In fact we are commanded to LOVE! Did Jesus say…..”well…ya know disciples, love is a pretty sweet thing…maybe we should consider it as something that we could show to others, but, only if you feel like it…..”
NO! He said this……
Matthew 22:36-39
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.
As yourself! As much as we love ourselves, that is how much we are called to love those around us!!! So my prayer is that we can all focus on the love of God and allow Him to pour into us, because only then will our love tanks be full enough that we in turn can pour love into others.
We are called to love, in fact the word “love” comes up 686 times in the NIV bible! If it wasn’t so important then it wouldn’t come up so many times throughout the book. There is actually a chapter specifically outlining what love is and how we are to live it by example – 1 Corinthians 13
Without love we are nothing, I believe that God is calling me out; I believe that this journey that is the World Race has only one mission, to love. I believe that He wants to increase my capacity for love, to stretch me beyond everything that I know, to enlarge my heart for the things that He loves, for the people that He loves. We are all His children, and as such are called to love each other, no matter how hard it is sometimes. And believe me, it’s really hard sometimes! Sometimes I just don’t want to, and in those times when I struggle the most are times that I am gently reminded of this.
Matthew 10:8 “….freely you have received, freely give.”
I have been freely given my Fathers love, and am called to freely give it out to all that I come across.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
This is our mission….
