January 22 | 1 John 4:7-21

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DAILY READING

1 John 4:7-21

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REFLECTION

Choose Love

By Judy Webb

Anyone who pays attention to the news today doesn't find information, only inflammation. There is so much noise in our world one could easily conclude that there is little love for one another. Words of hate are spewed on social media where it seems safe to express whatever we want. No wonder we have stomachaches and emotional trauma. There is little peace or compassion; love seems to have taken a backseat to our opinions as we relish our hateful ways and shout our vile rhetoric.

One look at the Scripture for today will transport us to a different conclusion. One that declares love makes our pain worthwhile and takes us to a world where there is reason to get up in the morning and embrace one another in friendship, not animosity.

1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us."

Without love there is turmoil fear and unrest in our lives and we feel inconsequential. Often we ask ourselves, 'what's the point?' Before we invited God into our hearts, remember how lost we were, how insignificant and irrelevant our lives were because of what was missing. Love was the lacking component . And love is a choice, not a feeling as we like to believe. We choose to love our neighbors, our colleagues, our family, and yes, even our enemies. Love is a choice--not an easy choice, but one which makes a huge impact on the world.

Where God is present and working, there will be love. Again, we love because He first loved us. We are not commanded to love one another or to earn God's love. We love one another because God loves us. Love has many benefits, not the least of which is peace. The intense stomachache we feel every time we read a volatile post online decreases and we are encouraged to respond with gentleness. Love is a choice and before long it becomes an easier choice.

"To feel God's love is very precious, but the believe it when you do not feel it, is the noblest." (Spurgeon)

PRAYER

Jesus, teach us to love as you love us. Show us how to follow your lead and extend grace to those we don't know. Give us the Spiritual eyes to see them as you see them. Love is a choice, please guide us to that unconditional choice. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 28 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 19 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.