Love Well

Christmas has come to a close and we have now ushered in the New Year. Traditions have come and gone, and we are once again reminded of how quickly time on this earth passes by. It feels like yesterday my kids lived in awe and wonder, wondering when Santa would come, and now they are each taking turns hiding our elf because there’s no longer a mystery about that little man in red.

Paul knew our time would be short as well, as he addressed this very issue to the Laodiceans in Ephesians 5:16-17. He said, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” While my children are not evil - although some days I wonder what motivates their behaviors - the days go by quickly and it reminds me how we must be careful in the way we live. How can we be careful? By being intentional, and going about what the Lord wants us to do. But how do we know what God wants us to do? As a pastor, I hear this question a lot. It’s actually one of my favorite questions because while it may feel daunting to the person asking, it’s a question that can literally change the trajectory of their life. When we do what God wants us to do, the world changes for the better. 

Before we can look at our own lives specifically, we need to look at our choice to follow Jesus. How should a follower of Jesus live? What should they do? And why is it so important? As Jesus spent three years discipling his team of 12, he challenged their way of thinking and nurtured in them a heart for people. Some of the disciples were go-getters, some were deep thinkers, and some struggled to hold their tongue - but they each had a place when it came to fulfilling God’s big plan for the world. And so do we!

Jesus had an interesting conversation with the Pharisees, with his disciples listening, in the book of Matthew. In an attempt to trap Jesus, what they did was actually unveil God’s big plan for the world. This big plan involved people - us! The Pharisees asked him about the most important commandment according to the law of Moses, and his response was this: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). This response was supported by earlier interactions when Jesus said “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you” (5:44), and “Do to others whatever you would like them to do for you” (7:12). As a follower of Jesus, what does God want us to do? To love others, and to love them well.

Love is a word that has been plastered everywhere in recent years, to the point where I think we’ve lost the true definition of it. Love does not mean we have to agree. Instead it means patience and kindness. Love isn’t rude, it doesn’t hold grudges, and it doesn’t celebrate when someone loses; it perseveres, and brings hope (1 Corinthians 13).

We love others well when we are patient.

We love others well when we hold our tongue.

We love others well when we listen.

Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul” (Matthew 16:24-26). When we choose to follow Jesus, we choose to live a life others benefit from - it’s a chance for them to see who Jesus is through us. And when we live this way, we begin to recognize the path God is laying out before us to follow. So when it comes to job changes, relationships you’re in, or financial investments you’re looking at, first ask yourself “does this help me love others well, the way Jesus intended?” And while yes, sometimes it’s more complicated than that, oftentimes it’s truly that simple. How do we know what God wants us to do? By walking through one door at a time - praying that with each door remaining open, we love others well by showing them Jesus.