The Love We Give

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2017 11:44 am Post subject: The Love We Give

The Love We Give

Scripture:

And there was a day when Eliseus passed by Sunam: now there was a great woman there, who detained him to eat bread; and as he passed often that way, he turned into her house to eat bread. And she said to her husband: I perceive that this is a holy man of God, who often passes by us. Let us therefore make him a little chamber, and put a little bed in it for him, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick, that when he comes to us, he may abide there. Now there was a certain day when he came and turned in to the chamber, and rested there.

And he said: What will she then that I do for her? And Giezi said: Do not ask, for she has no son, and her husband is old. Then he bid him call her: And when she was called, and stood before the door. He said to her: At this time, and this same hour, if life accompany, you shall have a son in your womb. (2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16A)

Know you not that all we, who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in his death? For we are buried together with him by baptism into death; that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall live also together with Christ: Knowing that Christ rising again from the dead, dies now no more, death shall no more have dominion over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once; but in that he lives, he lives unto God: So do you also reckon, that you are dead to sin, but alive unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:3-4, 8-11)

He that loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that takes not up his cross, and follows me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it. He that receives you, receives me: and he that receives me, receives him that sent me. He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receives a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. (Matthew 10:37-42)

Reflection:

We all experience moments where we give up on something because we do not see what is possible. Perhaps we do not think the timing is right because we believe we are too young or too old. Perhaps we do not think we have the ability, resources, or the support of others. Perhaps we put something off because we think it is something we may do later, only to discover the time we thought we would have is no longer ours.

As each day passes, we make decisions as to the use of our time and how we may apply the talents which God created within us. Our days are often determined by our vocation or perhaps preconceived milestones established by family, friends, or society. We evaluate ourselves and our accomplishments through our perceptions of what the world expects of us. We set goals or have dreams, but as each day passes, the unexpected always seems to divert our plans. We drive towards our ambitions, sometimes only to arrive at our planned destination to ask, is this all there is? Is this for what we studied, planned, prepared, and worked?

We plan our lives to seek what profits us, but obstacles arise to keep us from our goals. In the same moment, opportunities pass which we do not see or perhaps recognize for what they may be. Some decisions are made on a whim while others are well thought out, but what comes is not always as we expect. We might wonder what are we to do so our choices are right and just? We plan and estimate, but no matter our effort, we cannot see the future or that which will come to frustrate our work. Disappointment grows within us when various elements of life appear to be beyond our control.

As we look back, we might wonder, how is it so many of our endeavors fail to yield the happiness we expect? Perhaps what we do not realize is that our greatest rewards are often not found in what we seek for ourselves, but what we seek for others. Let us, then, not look at setback with disappointment, rather, let us look at it as an opportunity to adjust our course so we might find that which our Creator has planned for us? His desire for us is happiness, but it is only possible if we turn to Him and approach the world in the ways He guides us.

The future is always in front of us, but how are we to know our purpose if we do not have a relationship with the One who created us? How are we to know the plans He set for us before we were ever formed in the womb? (Jeremiah 1:5) How are we to know the best use of our time, according to the plan of God, if we do not listen for Him to guide our choices?

Let us, then, seek Him in prayer and visit Him in adoration so He may guide the decisions of our heart, mind, and soul. Let us not compare our accomplishments to the ways of the world, but by the blessings which He asks us to share. (Matthew 22:36-40).

His first commandment to us is that we shall have no gods other than Him. (Exodus 20:3-6, Deuteronomy 5:7-10) Our love for Him must be above all else (Matthew 22:37-3 Cool

for we owe our very being to the One who created us in His image. (Genesis 1:27) What we place before Him, even if it be our mother and father, whom God calls for us to honor (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16), places a distance between us and the One who created us. Let us, then, give to Him, above all else, the fullness of our love. In prayer and during adoration, let us allow Him to guide our hearts. As we follow the path to which He guides us, we may not always receive the temporary rewards of the world, but we shall certainly prepare ourselves to receive the eternal rewards only He can give.

If we are to love Him in fullness, then, we must also share our love with the others of His creation. (Matthew 22:36-40). As we share with those He sends into our lives, we share also with Him. (Matthew 25:31-46) Our respect for one another is respect for His creation. Let us, then, show our love for Him through our love for one another and by following His commandments. Should we fail Him, let us approach Him with a contrite heart and pray for His forgiveness. If we seek Him first and place Him above all else, He will guide us in His ways, the ways and blessings of eternal love.

Questions for further reflection:

What do we allow to guide our hopes, dreams, and endeavors?

In what ways do we allow Christ to lead us?

In what ways may we ensure there is nothing we put before God?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier