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Devotion for Saturday, May 16
MADE TO LOVE
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved Children.
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and
gave himself up for us, a fragrant
offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:12
We have all seen children imitating their parents. Like a little girl dragging a purse along the floor as she tries to walk in her mother's high-heeled shoes. She wants to be "just like Mommy." Then years later you can see a young woman using the same recipes and singing the same lullabies that she heard when she was young. Children may not even realize the things they learn from their parents. What began as imitation then became a part of who they are.
As forgiven children of God, love is a part of who we are. We are wholly and completely loved by our Creator. Our heavenly Father knows everything about us - even the stuff we would like to hide. And He loves us anyway! His love is unconditional! Love that powerful can't help but overflow into our words and actions.
We read in 1 John 4:19: We love because he first loved us.
When we love others, we are reflecting what God has done for us. It's not our own light but His light and His love that shines through us.
As we strive to imitate Christ in the ways we show love to others, we will eventually come up short. Like that little girl wobbling in her mother's high heels, we will fall. That won't change God's love for us or His ability to work through us. God reaches down and pulls us up and the Holy Spirit guides us on. Our heavenly Father works in spite of our weaknesses. I don't know about you, but I am so thankful that He does! By His perfect love, we are continually renewed - all because of Jesus.
His love shines through us and it becomes a part of who we are.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, you showed us love by sending Jesus to save us. Day by day, remake us with your love, especially as we struggle to imitate you. Amen.
Pastor Ruth
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