“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” ~ 1 John 4:18
I don’t know about all of you, but I know I have struggled these past few months with feeling overwhelmed, discouraged. and afraid. I have been up at night sometimes, thinking about church…thinking about my family… thinking about life right now. Missing you all, missing family members that I can’t go visit. Praying, and worried for everyone’s health.
The verse in the Bible above came to mind – I believe God is putting it on my heart so I wanted to share it with you.
Love for God and love for one another is often a choice and commitment. We say vows when we take membership at church, we say vows when we marry another person, we say vows at our children’s baptism to remind us of our commitment to love God and love each other. Love is an action, a choice and a commitment. I know when I’m working with my children, and they are doing something I don’t like – love is an action and a decision in those moments.
We choose to be faithful and love God and each other – and then the feelings will follow. We choose to trust God when we are afraid – and the comfort will follow. God’s Holy Spirit provides us with what we need when we take the step towards Him in love. The feelings of love and peace and joy – in spite of our circumstances – will follow when we are filled with God’s love and Spirit. God’s love, in these times – is made perfect.
There are a million reasons to feel afraid, these days. There are a million reasons to feel anxious, angry, and discouraged these days.
God is calling us to love. To take the steps to love Him and love each other. Apart from God’s love, we are lost – but in God’s love:
“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:13
Amen.
~ Pastor Denise
