Moving Day
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”- 1 Peter 1:22
I know that back in the 90’s that there was a movie franchise, GRUMPY OLD MEN, but the older I get the softer I am becoming. Over time I have found a growing capacity for the caring concern and celebrating of others. In the last month there have been multiple times where Kleenex was mandatory. From navigating the passing of a family member to honoring my first pastor (Jack Hayford) at his memorial service to watching a faith based, tear jerker movie that is Mia’s favorite, I have been deeply moved in my heart while shedding many tears.
Part of being a follower of Jesus and in the family of God is that our hearts would be knit together. That we would be moved in our hearts for the things that move God’s heart; that we would display genuine concern when others are facing trials; that we would be inspired by the faith and good deeds of others; and that we would lean into the full gamut of what loving relationships experience. In Romans 12:15 the apostle Paul calls us into authentic community as we, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
As the heart is enlarged to love and as the tears flow down, we continue to become and look more like Jesus. Our Savior not only came to earth from heaven to die for our sins, but in becoming a man He entered into and embraced the entire experience of humanity. Jesus was moved with compassion for the broken state of people (Matthew 9:36); Jesus felt the deep loss and grief when others were dealing with death (John 11:33-35); and Jesus desired for even the most ardent enemy to receive His love and mercy (Matthew 23:37). In John 15:12-13 Jesus declared, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down’s one life for one’s friends.”
May we all experience a MOVING DAY. As we head towards Easter and get ready for spring, may we be all about love and believe for resurrection life and power to move in every heart, need, and struggle. Allow yourself to be deeply moved by…
- Observing someone else’s faith, humility, and sacrifice, which moves you into deeper devotion.
- Hearing of someone else's struggle, which moves you into prayer.
- Seeing a person who does not know Jesus, which moves you into inviting them to church and sharing your faith.
- Discovering a need within the church community, which moves you to help and give.
Open your heart, break open the Kleenex Box, let the tears roll and let Jesus’ love rule!