The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"A Heart Like This"
Part 6 - Love In the Little
To know the love of God and respond accordingly is a big thing, the biggest in fact.
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment" (I John 3:1; Mark 12:30).
God made and redeemed us to receive His love, rejoice in it, and then return it to Him as the free expression of our grateful devotion to Him. Nothing matters more. Nothing matters as much. In actuality, nothing matters at all if this first and foremost reality does not serve as the realized foundation of our existence. Yes, the love of God and love for God is a big thing.
Interestingly, however, the monumental nature of such devotion received and returned most manifests its glories in the little things of life. Small moments, seemingly minor opportunities, the briefest of prayers, a word or two in season, minimal sacrifices, and trusting glances Heavenward often form the most genuine responses to our Lord's love. In relative terms, so few apparently big things happen to any of us. If we wait to know and respond to the love of God in such opportunities, we will spend most of our lives doing just that, waiting to know a Heart like this, and to bless Him with hearts like ours. However, if we realize our lives mainly comprise thousands upon thousands of little moments wherein we may know and response to our Lord's love, we will step by step "walk in love" during the journey of grace to which our Heavenly Father calls us (Ephesians 5:2).
The Lord Jesus Christ lived His life of love from God and for God so quietly and unobtrusively that when His ministry began, His own brethren did not know who He was (John 7:5). How many small moments of devotion formed our Lord's walk in love during His earthly lifetime? The Apostle John answers:
"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen" (John 21:25).
As our Lord dwells and walks in us, He will guide us in countless opportunities to receive and return the love of God, thereby enabling our love for others in the holy process. Sometimes, the matters will seem so insignificant our left hand will not be aware of the loving doings of the right. We do well to expect such a life, known from such a Heart, and experienced in our hearts by the presence of the One who still reveals His glory in ways known only to those who realize that love, the love of a Heart like this, most blesses us in small moments that are not really small at all.
"Whatsoever ye, do all to the glory of God."
(I Corinthians 10:31)
Weekly Memory Verse
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
(I John 5:4)
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