Ministry Updates for Thursday, May 28th, 2020
Scripture for Reflection – Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Reflection – Purpose – Part III of III – Loving God
On Sunday, and for the last three days, we have been looking at purpose. We have spoken of three major components of purpose. The first two are building character and calling. Today I would like to speak about loving God. The third major component of our purpose is to return love to God. To some degree, how we love God is like how we love people.
One way to love God, like we love people, is through gratitude. It is easy to get into a place where we are thankful for things, but more important than things are our relationships. Take time to thank God for the people he has placed in your life, even the ones who challenge you. When I think of the wonderful love and giftedness of the people God has put in my life, I know he loves me very much.
The second way we can love God is to get to know God. The best way to do this is through reading scripture, reading devotions, (which you are doing now), or reading or listening to Christian authors and pastors. Often people want to know who God is, as if there will be a test. Start with who God is to you; how you experience God. Every relationship is unique, including your relationship with God.
The third way we can love God is to talk with God. Again, Christian authors and the saints through history can teach us much about prayer which goes beyond what we can imagine on our own. But prayer is more than a list God needs to take care of for us. Prayer is a conversation with the God of the universe, who is taking time for you. Sometimes, I write out my conversations with God. I have found this helpful.
Finally, we love God by attending to those first two purposes, character and calling. If we lack character and are mired in sin and wrongdoing, we have already lost focus on God. If we ignore our calling, what more guidance would we expect? Sometimes people tell me they fall asleep while they are praying. When I get bored or tired in prayer, I know I have lost my ‘edge’, my sense of calling. There are plenty of people in need. It can be scary to serve them. But do not let fear deter you. Rather, turn your prayers to God for courage to persevere.
Prayer
God of love, God our Rock, God who calls us, we give you thanks for your labors to make us into people of good character, so we can have wonderful relationships. We give you thanks for our calling, so we can serve our brothers and sisters in need. We give you thanks for your love for us, which feeds us, heals us, and draws us into your kingdom of heaven. Help us grow daily in our ability to love you, through scripture study, reflection and devotion, and through prayers of gratitude and prayers for guidance. Amen.