Made With Love
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:9-11
Have you ever seen Pinterest verses Reality, Epic Fails or Nailed It?
There are countless examples on the web of times when people tried to make something they saw online, and it turned out horribly wrong!
From posed pictures to sculptured cakes to creative hair styles, people find it’s often not so easy to make things look perfect. Have you noticed how God doesn’t demand we bake the perfect cake for our neighbor or we have flawless hair for church?
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Romans 12: 12-13
God does tell us to help the needy and to show hospitality. Helping the needy looks like donating food to the food pantry, volunteering, and being generous. Showing hospitality looks like welcoming others and being friendly to all people.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Romans 12: 14-15
Some will invite a lonely neighbor over for a meal or deliver homemade goodies. Some create kits of needed supplies.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:14-15
However, we serve others, we are called to do it with sincerity and love. Whenever we stand alongside the marginalized, we do it with love. When we are allies to the forgotten, we are to expect nothing in return.
We don’t have to wait until all the conditions are “Perfect” to act in kindness and love. Made in God’s love calls us to live with boldness, as we are, in the midst of our life journey.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:16-18
May we each and every day find a way to practice love, hospitality and grace, even if it’s not “perfect.”.
Pastor Tim