Nougat 4

The outpouring of prayers and physical support for Ukraine has been phenomenal. Some would describe it as hope for an utterly selfish world. What is noticeable to some people, is the absence of similar support for Myanmar, where war has ravaged more lives than one cares to count; and women and children are rendered vulnerable to rape in the streets and other public spaces. One could also simply say that there’s at least one war on each continent.

How then do we respond? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The call for Love is a universal one. It is not region specific nor one-sided/biased. Rather it invites us to extend this agape love to every body; those we know, those we aren’t quite on terms with, and even those who we don’t know. I suspect it is easier to love those we don’t know.

It is worth noting that this ‘universal’ Love is not presented as the Thessalonians reality. Rather, it is a holy hope for the church membership in the future. Like you and me, those good church folks seem to have harbored some biases against one or two people.

But the message is clear: grow more deeply in love (be more compassionate, considerate and tolerant) with our spiritual siblings as well as all others. And since ‘everyone’ has no qualifier around it, it means everyone. Including the ones who hurt, irritate or even annoy us. Yes indeedy.

But this is NOT about us loving in our own strength. We are strengthened for doing so By Christ. And we know He loved despite our sinful lives. If anyone can get us past hurt and stubbornness, it’s Jesus! So we hand the reins over to Him.

Lord

Loving others is neither natural nor easy. But through You we can. Teach us how to Love unconditionally, and to demonstrate it tangibly so others can feel it. Help us overcome our biases and our fears we pray in Jesus name amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ