When You Love More and Give More, You Live More
The American dream seems to be all about living comfortably.
We strive to get to a point where we don’t have to be stretched or unnerved. Where we can live with relative ease and minimal hassle.
One fallout of that is we’re becoming an increasingly private society. One where front porches remain empty (houses are often built without one now), privacy fences enclose our yards, and more and more frequently, we avert our eyes when meeting someone on the street.
Yet the call for Christians to spread Christ’s love remains.
And I have to wonder:
How can we love others when we avoid being around them?
How can we share the love of Christ when we hide it “under a bushel” (or behind a fence or door)?
How can we share the love of Christ when we hide it 'under a bushel' (or behind a fence or door)? Click To Tweet
Love More and Give More
It would have been easy for a sweet sister I know to spend her retirement comfortably ensconced in her lovely home, just doing life with “safe” people.
Many would say she earned it.
She spent years raising her children, serving her husband, and adding to their finances. Now is her time to relax and just enjoy life.
And she is, but not by remaining in her comfortable zone.
Instead, she’s reaching out to a member of her church community who suffers horribly from a disability that robs her of many things we take for granted. Although definitely out of her comfort zone and scary (due to her friend’s fragile health issues), this lady feels drawn to love on the suffering woman.
- She gives of her time to take her to doctor appointments.
- She gives of her money to share meals with her.
- She gives of her comfort by offering this woman companionship and dignity by taking her on outings.
This Godly woman is loving more and giving more than she finds comfortable. Yet she is discovering great joy and satisfaction in stretching outside her comfort zone.
Live More
I think we have it wrong. We strive to get to a place where we can live comfortably, expecting happiness and satisfaction to follow. Yet, life is found in its sharing:
- in giving what we’ve received,
- in loving others as we’ve been loved,
- in sharing the light of Christ with a dark world,
- in passing on hope for eternity.
Living more is found in loving more and giving more.
We have it all wrong. We strive to get to a place where we can live comfortably, expecting happiness and satisfaction to follow. Yet, life is found in its sharing. Living more is found in loving more and giving more. Click To Tweet
And that’s what this dear woman of God is demonstrating for us all.
So go ahead, uncover your light, and love on someone today. It may be a bit uncomfortable, even scary, but you’ll likely be the one feeling more blessed in the end.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Reflection: What is one way you feel God calling you to love more, give more?
I’m joining Suzie Eller and her Friday linkup party, writing on the topic of loving more and giving more! Click the image below to read all the inspiring posts in the linkup.
By His grace ≈ Julie
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
You’re right. It’s so easy to want our own space, especially if introverted or just needing downtime. But if that’s all we’re doing with our free time, we’re not serving Christ effectively. I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for commenting, Laura. I value “my” time, so it takes a conscious effort on my part to take the time to make a difference in someone else’s life. But what a blessing when I do. And there are seasons where are ministering must occur mostly at home. As long as we’re open to the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit.