The Christmas holidays are behind us, and New Year’s Day is just ahead. The week in between always encourages me to reflect on my values, on what I consider important, on what I feel needs to be a course correction in my life.
The holidays for me always revolve around family, family present and family absent, whether out of town, or departed from this life. So many memories flood my consciousness, and so many feelings crowd my heart. I am always grateful for this, because it reminds me what life is all about, and that is to reflect and show love.
First, we are to reflect the love of God. How great a love has been shown us by the Father through the Son. John 3:16 can never be over quoted; “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God always gives to us, all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). His best is seen, not only in the gift, but in the way He gives (James 1:17). But of all He gives, He gave His Son, which is how we know love (1 John 3:16a). The love of God is more than a feeling, it’s a response to our needs, it’s beyond our ability to fully comprehend, and it’s always there even when we respond badly. The blood of Christ must touch our hearts before we will submit to the will of God and allow it to cleanse our lives.
Second, we must show the love of God. I ask myself how well I show the love of God to those around me. Do others know how much I love them? Do I respond to them from the love of God at work in me, or do I allow selfish motives to overcome me? If I am trying to be more like the Father and His Son (Eph. 5:1-2), then I must respond from love (1 John 3:16b).
We all can have questions about the past, what we did or didn’t do, what we said or didn’t say, but we can’t go back to change those things. What about the time we have ahead of us? What about, Lord willing, the coming year? I want to live for eternity, more than anything else; this is my heart’s desire and my greatest goal. I want my family to live for eternity, as I want us together in God’s presence forever, not just now. This is most important to me, but not all that is important. I so much want all my brethren where I labor together in Christ to be there too. I would love to see everyone from every congregation I have been associated with to gather around the throne of God.
So, I need to love more with the love of God, in all its multifaceted ways. From love, I need to teach, preach, live, “rebuke, correct, and encourage” (2 Tim. 4:2) so that we all can know God’s way for our lives and live it out. This year, more than any other, I want us to live more closely to God, to encourage each other to live for God, to realize eternity is what it’s all about, and that it could come at any time. I promise to do what I can in my life personally, and in my ministry for Christ. Will I make mistakes, will we all? Of course, we’re human. But if we’re working together, we can be more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37).
It’s too important to deceive ourselves into thinking eternal life will be given no matter how we live. But with the love of God at work in us, we will allow Him to accomplish His purpose in and through us. I want us all to be together in heaven. I want to grow in the love of God to allow God to use me for this goal. Will we join together to live for this heavenly goal?
Robert Johnson
