Years ago
I saw a cartoon that depicted a sour, disgruntled, elderly gentleman standing
in rumpled pajamas and robe at his apartment door. He had just secured the door
for the night with four locks, two deadbolts, and a chain latch. Later he
noticed a small white envelope stuck beneath the door. On the envelope was a
large sticker in the shape of a heart. It was a valentine. Love had found a
way.
Only love
can change a person’s heart. The Russian author Dostoevsky, in his book The
Brothers Karamazov, tells the story of a hardened cynic, Ivan, and his
resistance to the love of God. On one occasion his brother Alyosha, a man of
deep faith who was confounded by his brother’s resistance, leans over and
kisses Ivan. This simple
act of love burned into Ivan’s heart.
Perhaps
you have a friend who is resisting God’s love. Show His love to him or her,
just as God showed love to us when He brought salvation into the world through
Jesus. Shower upon others the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13—a love
that is patient, kind, humble, and unselfish.
Authentic love is a gift from God that we can keep on giving.
God pours His love into our hearts to flow out to others. (RBC)
