John 13:34-35 says “A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. But how can we show Jesus’ love to others when we don’t have contact with others? Change is now the new normal and we are all adjusting to life with shelter in place restrictions. The church has had to leave the building, but will it stagnate? Will we, the church hibernate or will we creatively find ways to show God’s love to others?
If you look, you can find stories of people showing God’s love to each other in the news and social media. You may have to wade through a lot of negative headlines to find them, but they are there. From the encouraging applause for nurses as they leave their shift at a hospital to the fire truck who drives by a child’s house on their birthday, people are showing God’s love. Just last weekend we went outside on Sunday morning to find a note written in chalk on our sidewalk. It said “Love to the Petrillo’s” with a big heart. And we did feel the love. Someone took the time to remind us that we are loved – by them and by God. What a blessing!
So it leaves me to ponder what I can do to show God’s love to others outside of my home each day. 1 Peter 4:7 tells us that “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others”. Figuring out what gifts God has given you doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Do you like creating things? Sew a mask for someone and write “Jesus loves you” on the inside. Are you picking up items from the store? Offer to pick additional items up for someone who is at risk and needs to stay home. Leave a note inside that says “Jesus loves you”. Do you have a green thumb and a great garden? Put some tulips in a jar with a note on it that says “Jesus loves you” and take it to an assisted living facility and place it outside someone’s window.
There seems to be a pattern here with my suggestions because people need to hear repeatedly that Jesus loves them. They need to feel connected both to other people and to the Lord. It’s our job as disciples to show His love to others. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7
Jesus loves you!
Debi Petrillo
Faith Lutheran Church Council