I recently read an article in the University of Florida student newspaper; it was about a class rewarded with extra credit for the assigned task of hugging others. The response was surprising for everyone, in a short period of time there were many to approach the students for a hug. I was captivated by the simplicity, something seemingly small but effective in its reach. Most everyone appreciates an extension of kindness, warmth and friendship. Am I available to others? Approachable and open? Able to yield to the Holy Spirit so that I can be a source of His love? At a young age I was taught that allowing people in can be dangerous. As I matured this was sadly confirmed many times over, where there is access there is also the potential to be hurt. Many of us walk around closed off because of accumulated experiences convincing us that we need to be guarded. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7. Abiding in the peace of God there is then freedom to be open and liberal in our outpouring of love, generously giving of what has been given by God, even to those who we try to guard ourselves from. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36. I have a responsibility to align myself to receive from the Lord, to be in His word, to be in fellowship, to be obedient so that when God orchestrates the circumstances to place someone on my path I am open to sharing something of value, to share of His love even when it may be hard!
Jesus is relational. He surrounded Himself with disciples who He affirmed with authority, provided acts of service for, invested time in, gave spiritual gifts to and delivered/healed by touch. Words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, giving of gifts, and physical touch. These are the five love languages, we are all guided to express and receive love in primarily one or two of these ways. I have experienced all of them and recently too!
When I was emptying my home I purged the accumulated stuff of 34 years of living. What I had most of was quite telling of the love language that ministers to me. I had saved every single card! I laugh because each word of affirmation was treasured. Each little note, funny joke, poem was preserved…until I got real about the size of my oh so tiny storage unit. There was then a demonstration of love by my many friends who promptly opened the trash bags to clear it all out! So many acts of service to help me with the sifting, sorting, packing, stacking, moving and resettling. Each one a blessing for their helping hands and Christlike hearts. When a Christian sister opened her home up to me in this time of transition I have seen the Lord’s love in our quality time, sharing the experiences of the day, grabbing ice cream when it’s been a rough one and giggling over the fashion shows of clothing we need to get rid of. I have also been so blessed by the time developing a bond with one of my World Race sisters and the time World Race alumni helped me with shopping for gear and giving me guidance. All the many times another special friend attended to each need as it came up, making room in the schedule to help, to support in all ways possible. When I think about the Lord’s love I experience that every day, however, I do have precious memories of my walks around a lake in North Carolina. I spent so much time there when I was a newly saved Christian, and Jesus always had a gift for me. That lake has a very special Rose Walk, a long stretch of path lined with roses of every color. In the mornings the roses would be cut and left for passersby who eagerly snatched them up. With my work schedule I would walk early in the evening and amazingly enough there would always be one rose waiting for me. Jesus loved me so much He would make sure I had a special gift each time I went walking with Him. When reading that newspaper article I was reminded of all the times I was used by the Lord to heal through touch, also a gift that He’s given me. The extra credit hugs ministered to people who needed to have someone reach out in a gesture of love. All the love languages spoken through so many and I thank them all.
Let our hearts be so inclined to be more like Jesus so that we can love as He did. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Love can be so uniquely expressed in a variety of ways. I have an extra credit assignment of my own, it’s called the World Race. I will tell others about what love really looks like when it’s fully understood through Jesus Christ. I will also write cards, serve my heart out, spend precious time with people all over the world, give gifts and yes, there will be hugs, hugs, hugs all around and my reward for it all will be in Heaven!
Would you demonstrate an act of love in the giving of a financial gift to send me on this mission?
