Shining love

 

Acts 7:17-29

I have a nice drum set at home. It was my dad's set he used when he was younger. He gave it to Brittani some time ago and she used it to play some gigs. We've even used it for worship at our church. But for the last several years, it's sat in my garage. I see it every day collecting dust. I've moved it around plenty of times to make room for others things we've put there. But I have it. Last week, I acted on something I've had in my mind for quite a bit. It's a project that'll take me a while, but not nearly as long as I've been thinking about doing it. I've got the polish rags, cleaner and handheld buffer ready. And I'll order new drum heads soon. I'm going to clean up the set and get it looking new. Who knows, I may even buy a new snare drum or cymbals as a personal reward. Either way, get ready, neighbors, for some noise. Because what good is having the set if it's just there? Week in and week out, Christians gather to worship. As part of their worship, congregations hear a word from the Lord. This week it may be about prayer or serving. Some churches need to hear again the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. We all need reminders about gratitude and generosity, sacrifice and humility. All these messages find their way to the hearts of God's people every week. No matter what the message is you'll hear this week, it should be rooted in the love of God. That's where our word comes from. But Christians must also understand love is not a thought experiment. It is no whimsical feeling or theory. Love is more than theology. Therefore, God's love must not sit dusty and idle in the minds of those who sit in the pews. As someone once said so well, Love is a verb. Living our love for God is the best way to thank the Lord for the gift we've received. The gift of faith. The gift of salvation. The gift of love itself. Our Father has gifted us with so much. And so, every day is a new chance to dust off what we've left stagnant. Today is always the day to let the love of God shine through everything you do and everything you are. Stay blessed...john