Day 29 - Love First: What Is Our Example?

Love First: What Is Our Example?

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21

For years we’ve been taught to Love God. That’s a great goal. But we need to move from a Love-God kind of commitment to a Love-God-and-Others commitment. We’ve studied in depth the story of the Good Samaritan—and with good reason. That story teaches us about compassion, about paying attention to more than just what is directly in front of us and looking to the side to see those in need...and then doing something about it. We’ve imagined ourselves in each character’s role in the story—and that’s good, too. It helps us gain perspective in dealing with others. But what we haven’t overtly said is how this story is an example of Love First.

Obviously the priest and the Levite had priorities they felt were greater than the injured man in dire need on the side of the dangerous road. The Samaritan, in contrast, saw the value in Love First. His taking the time to attend to the man’s needs didn’t deter him from doing his daily business. His deeds of love and service weren't over-the-top, nor were they for show. It’s just what he did. He went on and took care of his business after seeing to the injured man’s needs.

Love First is just that. It’s paying attention in the normal course of our day or night—looking to the side to see if someone is in need. Most of the time, it’s right there in front of us; there’s not much looking for it required. It’s someone with car trouble on the side of the road in your neighborhood; it’s someone trying to do yard work ahead of incoming bad weather; it’s a runaway pet with frantic owners...it’s being aware of what is around us.

Love First makes a difference to one person at a time.

Your Mission
Spend some time today making an ongoing list citing every way God has shown love to you. Try to think both personally and broadly.