“The Power of Love” by Justin March

“Be completely humble and gentle: be patient, bearing with one another in love.”Ephesians 4:2

As I read this Bible verse, I am saddened by what I witness in my everyday surroundings.  This week alone, I have been bombarded by social media about two famous actors putting each other down and using violence to get their points across.  I have seen the bird multiple times while driving along the interstate, and it is not the one that displays magnificent colors or beauty.  I have witnessed bullying, shaming, gossiping, and slander.  And it seems like every time I turn around, the negativity of this world is basking in the glory of the power it holds over us.

I do my best to keep my head up, stay positive, and keep the evil forces from extinguishing my light.  Yet, there are so many times that all this misery, pain, and hurt I see around me causes me to ask myself, “What happened to everyone’s grace?”  Why are so many hateful?  Why are so many spiteful?  And why are so many spreading messages of violence and anarchy?

When the negativity becomes overwhelming, I like to Google some simple messages that bring back hope and enhance my faith.  I often do searches on inspiration, triumph, overcoming obstacles, and beating the odds.  I always find a few good reads, and before I know it, my spirits are lifted, and I am ready to march on.  But when the world wants to shove all the ugliness down my throat, week after week, I can become immune to the positive messages I am reading and find myself searching for just a little more.

Well, you know where I found that “little more” this week?  Instead of searching websites that bring up amazing articles about hope and positivity, I kept it simple and typed in the word love.  And just as God has, does, and will continue to work in mysterious and miraculous ways, He made sure that at the top of the list was how the Bible proclaims love will conquer hate, erase all fears, and heal all wounds.  I clicked on link after link, read Bible verse after Bible verse, and delved into story after story about how God’s people proclaimed love was the most powerful light we can share with one another.

Sometimes, I forget that the inspiration we need has been printed on those pages from long ago.  There are people who will tell you those words are ancient and no longer relevant in this modern world, but I believe they ring true as much now as they ever have.  The verses restore hope, establish faith, and shed light into the dark places that try to overshadow our journeys.  And by reading just a few of the many passages that speak to the topic of love, it was clear that God’s mission for all of us is as simple as loving one another and making sure we take care of each other in these trying times.

There is power in love.  It is one of the few things money cannot buy, and one of the few things we can share equally with one another.  It is found in the smiles we spread as we pass one another on the sidewalk or street.  It is found in the ways we give to help those less fortunate than us.  And it is found in the promises God has given to us, that if we follow Him, we will never be forsaken or left behind.

What can you do to make sure your love shines bright this week?  Are you open to God’s teachings so that your love spreads and is contagious to others?  And is love the foundation around everything you stand for, speak about, and proclaim to this longing world?

As our journeys bring us closer and closer to the foot of the cross, it is there that we find the ultimate power of love.  We find a love that is so strong that the ultimate sacrifice was given to save us from our sinful ways.  And we find comfort that comes from patience, grace, humility, and gentleness as God’s love for His people is more powerful than anything this world wants to throw our way.

Make sure you are finding ways to spread your love.  Make sure your light shines so bright that others want to follow you to the foot of the cross.  And make sure that when you are feeling angry, violent, spiteful, or petty, you find solace in the words God has provided you.  Like Huey Lewis and the News once sang, “It’s strong and it’s sudden and it’s cruel sometimes, but it might just save your life.  That’s the Power of Love!!”