Growth

Defined by Love

What’s a definition? If you’re like me, a definition is something that I seek when I lack understanding. That’s because a definition gives meaning, context and substance. When we say that we are defined by something then, it means it creates meaning, context and substance in our lives. In other words, if you want to understand someone, seek to understand what defines them.

In His Scripture, God is generous with descriptions of Himself. He is “love”. He is the “way, truth, and life.” He is a refuge, shield, and fortress. He provides these descriptions because they help us finite creatures, begin to understand an infinite God. Just like a dictionary’s definition, they engender meaning, context and substance.
Scripture is also very clear as to what should define Christians. “They shall know your disciples by your love.” In other words, if you want to make meaning out of a Christian’s life – you should be able to do so through the love they have for other believers. The context of a Christian’s life –the overall atmosphere in which they operate – that too should be characterized by love. The substance, i.e. the nature, of a Christian’s life should be actionable service demonstrated through love. Love should be what defines us, not only in our own hearts, but in the eyes of everyone who encounters us.
Loving like this is not easy. However, as a former boss used to say, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Let us be defined by love, and in doing so may we be more like the One who is love.

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Growth Relationships

Learning from Laundry

All of us have chores that we don’t mind doing, and some that we wish we never had to do again.  For me, doing the laundry is one of the chores that fall into the latter category. I actually don’t mind getting the laundry started – after all, throwing the clothes into the washer and then into the dryer isn’t that difficult, but once the dryer buzzer goes off, I’ll come up with all kinds of excuses not to finish the job. This really isn’t a good idea, since eventually I always have to do it, but I avoid it like most people avoid the dentist.

My apathy towards folding our clean clothes has some interesting consequences. One of them is that I’m often forced to dry clothes a second time since they’re wrinkled by the time I get to them. The other is that when it comes time to actually prepare the clothes for our dresser drawers, I’m apathetic about folding them in a proper and organized way. Instead, I’m much more likely to want to hurry through the process, so I can get back to something, ANYTHING, that I enjoy more.

However, several times as I’ve been tempted to speed through the folding process, I’ve been forced to slow down. The reason for this is that I’ve been reminded that no longer are the clothes I’m folding only my own. Instead my wonderful husband’s clothes are also being prepared by my hasty hands and I’m conscious of the fact that one of the ways that I show him that I love him is through the time and energy that I spend doing things for him.  If I do less than my best, what is that saying about the quality of my care and concern for my beloved? (A quick disclaimer – my sweet husband would probably never criticize even if I left the clothes in a big heap. However, his graciousness is not an excuse for my carelessness. :-))

As I’ve been prompted to take more time doing the chore I’m not fond of, I’m reminded that I owe the same commitment of care to Christ. After all, how often do I go about doing things for Him in a half-hearted manner? Do I read my Bible just to get it done or because I’m delighting in the opportunity to spend time with Him? If He puts a special call on my heart to love someone who’s not my favorite, do I do so with grudging acceptance of the task, or do I look at it as a chance to display my love for Him and His love for others? Even the mundane things that God calls me to deserve my best, because it is Him that I’m doing it for.

I never thought that the laundry room would be a place that I could learn to love my husband more. I certainly never thought it would teach me about loving Christ. However, I’m grateful that God uses even the simple things to teach the profundity of Him.

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