Love Is a Verb

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ When we’re actively looking for ways to show love to others, not just holding it as an “idea” in our heads, it can shift atmosphere, perspective and feelings, all for the better. Often it starts with a practical act of the love that God gives so freely to us. When King David showed kindness to a man called Mephibosheth who was disabled in both his legs (see 2 Samuel 9), David let him sit at his table and eat with him. Today it’s against the law to shun anyone who is physically impaired. But people still do it. Many Veterans suffer from this treatment. When David let Mephibosheth sit at his table, he was making a point – with his legs hidden under the King’s table, Mephibosheth appeared to everyone to be just as David knew he was: equal. There are countless people like Mephibosheth who get treated with little respect or kindness, people who perhaps only know crumbs of love at best, swept off the table as if for a pet. And then those people can begin to think that’s all they really deserve. But showing them the love of Jesus can break the pattern of who they think they are. They can become free to know who they are in Christ, deeply molded to His image.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to show love and respect to all people, to do what the Lord requires of me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen