Words of Encouragement & Hope
Submitted by Pat Burke
Love Your Neighbor This Season & Beyond
With Words & Deeds
As a participant in “Life Changing Bible Study,” I am often struck by how passages I may have read many times before, affect me.
Recently I read Galatians 5:14 which says, “Love your neighbor as yourself” and Galatians 5:22 which says, “fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.” Wow, lots to unpack in these few words!
But what struck me most, are these words succinctly tell us how we are to behave as Christians – first since we receive God’s love, we are to love our neighbors. And who is our neighbor? Everyone! Now we are in the season of giving so it might be a little easier to show our love for our fellow man. We have so many opportunities within, and without the church, to help those who are less fortunate. And more are suffering than usual because of the pandemic.
But what happens in January when the “season of giving” is over? We might have to work a little harder to find and help our neighbors, but we can! But giving does not just refer to material things.
Which brings me to the second passage – the fruits are all manifestations of what our love should look like as Christians. So, as we interact with those close to us, or when we are able to be out and about, during or after the pandemic, let’s think about our actions and our treatment of others. Courtesy and kind words to those who we interact with can easily be an outward manifestation of our love and fruits – as are all the words written above.
Words are easy to say and often practiced is so much more difficult. As I contemplated these thoughts and remembered some of my own actions and words – many actions I wish I could forget or words I could take back, an old familiar hymn came to mind:
“Just a closer walk with thee,
grant it Jesus is my plea,
daily walking next to thee,
let it be dear Lord, let it be.”
My answer! Starting my day with God and asking to be drawn closer so that the inward love I feel from God will be manifested in my outward words and actions.
May it be dear Lord, may it be!
Blessings and health to all!
