“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.” (Psalm 50:1 NIV)
The sun rises because God wants it to rise. You got out of bed this morning because God wanted you to get out of bed. Our purpose on this day is simple: love God, love others. Each day we get the chance to love better than we did the day before.
Two ways we can love better today than yesterday: love of God, love of others. Each day we have the opportunity to improve in these areas. As long as God gives us breath, our mission is to love.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is love.
If we are going to master love, we have to learn from the Master. God is love. Throughout the pages of the Bible, we learn of His unconditional love for the world. People reject God, He doesn’t reject people. God understands the human condition. He understands, we can’t love separate from Him. His love pours into us, then we pour it out to others.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV)
When God’s love pours into our lives, we can’t help but share it with others. We want to share what we have found with those we love. We want them to experience the unconditional love we have in Jesus. We all desire love. God created us out of His love for us. But much of the world feels unloved. People live in isolation, alone and afraid. No one wants to feel that way, yet all of us do at some point or another, I know I have. God’s love penetrates those feelings. His word reminds us of who we are, His children that He adores. When we understand His love for us, our lives reflect His light to the world:
“Let your light shine before men, that. they may see your good works, and. glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
The love we have for others is a direct result of God’s love for us. We forgive others because in His mercy, God forgave us. Just as God understands us, we must take time to understand others. Jesus never forced Himself on anyone. If someone didn’t want to talk to Him, Jesus let them go. The rich young ruler who couldn’t part with his possessions, missed out on life with Jesus (Mark 10:17-27 NIV). Many in America are missing Jesus because they worship their possessions.
God’s mission for you today is simple: Love Him, Love Others.
Question of the Day:
Who do you need God’s help loving today?
Further Reading: Song of Solomon 1-4 NIV, 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 NIV, Psalm 50 NIV, Proverbs 22:22-23 NIV
