Smiling At The World

John 13:35 – By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Recently I have started to run small worship services at a center in our town, which caters to providing help for those who are handicapped in one way or another. For me this was a special opportunity because I have a special place in my heart for the handicapped. My brother was born blind and mentally retarded and he has always been very special to me. One thing I do when I go the center is to smile when I see the people. The smile is a great instrument for conveying something very simple. That simple thing is love. The people at the center need to see that we have not forgotten them and most importantly that we love them. I go and I read them scripture and it is so great to see their reactions to the word of God. There is no doctrine they must know, no theology they must comprehend, it is just the simple and pure word of God which they enjoy. It is hard to describe the feelings I have when I see this but I believe it is the love of Christ working within me and finding its way to others.

If we are Christ's disciples then there should be an apparent love between us. Yet there seems to be so much strife in the communities we live in. I still struggle with this myself. There are some people who, for some reason, I just do not like but as I grow in my faith I realize that these feelings are wrong. I cannot pick and choose who I want to love, but instead I should love all who are in Christ. Just as I love those at the center in town where I go to share God's word and love, I must go into the whole world and do the same.

Romans 5:5 – the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your love for us is so great and yet I do not always show that love. May I show all the love you have shown me to the world. Help me to overcome my ill feelings towards others. In Jesus' name. Amen.