DAY 39: Love

Love Wraps Around Everything And Everybody

Colossians 3:[1-11], 12-17

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.


Recent storms and natural disasters around the country and world have brought out a desire to volunteer to help people. In Walla Walla, Washington, shelters and local agencies have held blanket drives. People in the New England states have contributed money for heat and power bills. In Chicago, jackets and gloves are being collected for homeless families. Volunteers flew to Iran after the devastating earthquake there.

Although there seem to be plenty of depressing things going on in the world today, you don't have to look too far to also see actions of love. What do you think of when you hear the Bible tell us to "clothe ourselves in love"?

To clothe ourselves in love is to allow God's love to surround us, similar to the way we would wrap ourselves up in a blanket. Love is not meant to be functional or narrow in purpose, like a pair of gloves, rather it is meant to be all encompassing and ever present. That purpose is to "…bind everything together in perfect harmony."

In response to God's great love, we are called to live with our eyes open to the needs of the world around us. If someone is cold, give him or her a jacket or gloves. If someone is hungry, feed them. If someone doesn't have a job, help them find one. Clothing ourselves with love, we can make a difference through our actions and spirit.


What are the greatest needs in my community or neighborhood right now?


Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to clothe others with love by responding to the needs you bring to my attention. Amen


Action step:
Clean out your closet and that clothing you tossed under your bed. Donate blankets, jackets, your out-of-style shirts, and other usable clothing to a local agency that can pass them on to others who need them.

contributed by Matthew Nelson