It is that time of year. It’s my favorite time of year. I love the Christmas season also known as Advent. I love the decorations and giving gifts. I love spending time with family and the spirit of generosity. Not everyone has the same experience of this season. Not everyone knows what love is.
I recently saw this quote by Bob Goff, “Love picked us so grace could find us.” There is a lot packed into this statement. Love picked us, I read that as God picking us whiich He did. Remember the scripture, “For God so loved the world?” God is love and God chose us. God so loved us that He chose grace over any other option.
As I let this quote merinade within me, I am overwhelmed by God’s love and grace for me and all humankind. I am also challenged to be love to others so grace can pick them up. I am called to be an example of love to others in the world. Am I doing that well? It is a great time of the year to reflect on this scripture and take inventory. Am I showing others what love is?
So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end. 8-10 Love never dies. (I Corinthians 13:4-10 MSG).
This scripture helps me take that inventory. It reminds me of all the ways that love can show up. It reminds me that love can be hard and often counterintuitive. It encourages me to be an example of what love is. It is my prayer this season that we all live into Goff’s statement, “Love picked us so grace could find us.”
How does the Christmas season impact you? Has grace found you? Are you challenged to love better? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.