Love In Action
Tyler Thornton
As we step into the season of Advent, we are preparing our hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus - the embodiment of God’s perfect love. This week we are reflecting deeply on the love God has shown us that challenges us to let that love overflow into every aspect of our own lives.
1 John 4:9-10 beautifully captures this truth:
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”
Notice how Jesus embodies a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and transformative? Not dependent upon anything we had done or were going to do, but based solely out of His nature, the Father's love compelled Him to send Jesus so that we might experience true life.
This Advent season, as we are reflecting on God’s love, let’s consider how we can be conduits of that love to those around us. I wanted to put together a few practical ways we can show love in our homes, workplaces, and communities:
In Our Homes
1. Create a Culture of Grace: Just as God’s love covers our shortcomings, we can extend grace to our family members when mistakes are made. Be quick to forgive and slow to anger. Let’s step up our game in this department this Advent season!
2. Be Present: Put away distractions! Pocket the phone, turn off the tv, give your emails a break, and spend intentional time with your loved ones. Whether it’s playing a game, baking cookies, or reading the Christmas story together, your presence communicates love.
3. Speak Love: Take a moment each day to affirm and encourage your family members. Let them know they are loved and valued.
In Our Workplaces
1. Show Kindness: Simple acts of kindness, like bringing a coworker coffee or offering to help with a task, can demonstrate love in powerful ways. Take the step beyond being an acquaintance at work to deepening relationships with those around you.
2. Be a Peacemaker: Workplaces can sometimes be fraught with tension, the Holiday season can bring about a host of mixed emotions for some. Be someone who fosters peace and unity by choosing your words carefully and handling tensions with grace.
3. Share Hope: If opportunities arise, share the reason for your hope and joy this season. A heartfelt invitation to a Christmas service or a kind word about Jesus’ love can plant seeds of faith.
In Our Communities
1. Serve Those in Need: Look for ways to meet tangible needs in your community, they are all around you! Volunteer at a food bank, donate to a toy drive, provide a meal for a struggling family, or drop off a gift for a neighbor.
2. Practice Hospitality: Open your home or your heart to someone who may be feeling lonely this season. A simple meal or meaningful conversation can make a big difference.
3. Be Generous: Find ways to give generously of your time, resources, and attention to those who need it most.
Love as a Response to Love
As we show love this Advent season, let’s remember that our love is a response to the love we have received. We love because He first loved us. The birth of Jesus is the ultimate expression of that love, and when we live in that it changes everything!
May your Advent season be filled with opportunities to both receive and give this transformative love. Let’s commit to being a light in our homes, workplaces, and communities, pointing others to the Savior whose love knows no bounds.