Jump Start # 3763
1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”
Today is Valentine’s Day. It’s the day of romance. Flowers will be given. Candy will be purchased. Some will go out to a nice restaurant for a lovely dinner. In our hectic and busy schedules, that we simply call “life,” it is good to hit the pause button once in a while and remember what is truly important. This is not only true in our relationships with our spouse, but with our children, our brethren and most importantly, with our God. With all the things that must be done, all the schedules, all the duties, we can forget about the core elements as to why we do these things. It is out of love. There are moments when we can irritate each other. There are days when you feel like putting the kids in the trash. There are times when we wonder why do we need other Christians. And, truth be told, there are lowly periods when God seems far away. Tired. Frustrated. So much to do. The love factor in our relationships can run pretty low some days. And, when that happens, we tend to snap at each other. We have little patience for spills, mistakes and people not doing what they ought to.
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful reminder why we do what we do. And, if we could do it all over again, we would. There are many good books on the market about love in relationships and how to keep the spark sparking. Communication, attention and purpose all play a major role in building a core of love around what one does. The core element of preaching ought to be love. The core element of shepherding ought to be love. The core element of fellowship must be love. The core element of parenting is love. The core element of marriage is love. And, when that core element is missing, the relationship changes, even with God. We obey God, not because we don’t want to go to Hell. We obey the Lord because we love Him.
So how does a person get back to the fundamental aspect of all of our relationships, love? Here are a few thoughts:
First, reflecting helps. We all have some down time. You can fill that time with music on, TV on, playing video games, texting or once in a while just being quiet and thinking. That’s hard for many in our times. We collapse in bed at night exhausted, and awake the next morning with the alarm sounding off, kids screaming, the dog barking and already ten steps behind. What a way to start the morning! Throughout the day, while driving, while doing things around the house, turn off the sounds and think. Biblically we call this meditate. Think about your God. That will lead to prayer. Think about your spouse and all that he or she does for you. That will make you appreciative. Think about your children and how much you love them. That will shape the tone of your words. Think about how brethren have been so kind to you. That will make you want to help them.
Second, realize that God has put you around all the people in your life to help you and for you to help them. Some need to see an example. That’s you. Some need questions answered. That’s your role. Some need help. And, there are days, when the people around you can serve and help you. Maybe your family is a mess. Maybe dysfunctional is a level that you hope they can get to. You may envy other families. You may wish you had another family. God has put you where you are. Love them. Help them. Show them. That’s what you do. Be the sunshine in the lives of others.
Third, when we fail to love, our relationship changes. Our attitudes change. The way we approach what we do changes. And, most times, the change isn’t for the better. When the Ephesians lost their first love, they were told to do three things. They all can be summed up with the letter “R”. First, remember. Remember what it was like at first. Remember the good times. Storms, troubles, drudgery can make us forget. Second, Repent. Change. The Ephesians lost their first love. They could and can get that back again. Third, Repeat what you did at first. Remember, holding hands? Remember, leaving notes? Remember, stopping a movie you really liked to watch a silly kids show for your children? Remember, tired as you were, you got on the floor and let the kids ride the “horsey” one more time? Remember, being one of the first at the church building and one of the last to leave? There was hope for those loveless Ephesians. Remember. Repent. Repeat. It would work for them and it will work for us.
Love—it’s the basis of so many pop songs, poems, movies and novels. Love is why we put up with so many things. It’s why we go out of our way. I remember long ago, while preaching a meeting in small congregation in another state, my daughter was to get an award at school. I drove home, more than four hours one way that night. Went to her program the next morning. Drove more than four hours back to preach that night. Not sure I could keep those hours today. I thought nothing of it at the time. It’s just something you do. And, you do it, because you love.
We love, because He first loved us.
Roger