Love

Psalm 5:12 in the New Living Translation:  "For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love."  What a beautiful image that is - to be surrounded by a shield of God's love!  The Scriptures tell us his banner over us is love; he fills us with his love; we abide in his love; we are empowered in love to share love with others.  There is no part of our being that isn't covered and touched by the love of God.  And, since God IS love, that simply means there is no part of our being that isn't covered and touched by God himself.  


Psalm 139 has this beautiful verse and image:  "Where shall I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence?" (verse 7)  No matter how it seems to us, how far we may feel from God, we are never out of his presence and his love.  It seems to me that this is the message the world needs to hear and know.  And experience!  We can tell someone over and over that God loves them and while that is true, how much more meaningful it is for them to have an experience of God's love for them - an up-close, in your face encounter with the love of God.  


As a prayer minister, I witness people experiencing that love in powerful and profound ways through the Lord's ministry to them as he heals their deepest wounds, fears, or doubts.  Sometimes, for the very first time, they realize that Jesus is showing up in a very real way to heal a broken heart or a wounded spirit; they're surprised by his tenderness, his compassion, his presence right there - just for them!  Other times, God's love is shared through a kindness, a touch or hug; perhaps a person who feels invisible because of homelessness, disease, etc., is acknowledged, loved, cared for and affirmed as a child of God regardless of life's hardships.  


We as Christians, walk through this life with the light of Christ shining through us; with the power to share that love and minister to people in ways our human eyes may never see or understand.  Pray for those divine appointments then watch for them to come along.  That is a prayer I can assure you the Lord will be quick and pleased to answer!  If the person you encounter is challenging your own capacity to love, then pray for the Lord to give you a little piece of his heart for this child of His and watch what happens.  Again, another prayer he'll love to answer!  You'll be surprised at what you feel for this person - a compassion, understanding and tenderness unlike anything you may have expected.  


Take a chance.  Be bold.  You are wearing God's love - inside and out.  Walking out the Christian life as a disciple is never dull.  If you're bored and you're a Christian, may I suggest that you ask the Lord to use you in new and unexpected ways?  Then enjoy the ride!