Lent Devotional – Love in Action

Thursday, March 13

Love in Action

By: Laura Still

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13

I’ve never been a fan of winter, and it’s a family joke that my hands and feet turn into icicles in November and don’t thaw out till May. As I’ve gotten older the problem has gotten worse, and I can’t stay warm even with layers of clothing and cups of hot tea. The chill has settled into my bones, and this year has menaced my soul. I’ve had to limit my exposure to the news, as every day some new crisis or disaster pops up to make me feel the world is spiraling closer to the edge of the abyss, and there’s nothing I can do.

The apostle Paul would disagree with that last statement, for the time he lived in wasn’t exactly a garden party. In other parts of his letter, he speaks of the woes of the people of Israel, and his anguish over their troubles. Despite the evil times, he doesn’t instruct the believers to sit and weep. Instead, they are to be active in sharing the love of Christ, to show their hope in eternity by helping those in need and taking care of others. He even tells them to offer food and drink to their enemies if they are hungry or thirsty. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans12:21)

Paul is sure that in the end, love is the fulfillment of God’s promise, and those who continue to perform acts of love in the name of Christ are working to establish God’s kingdom on Earth. It is not easy to continue in times like these, but we don’t get to choose when we live out our time. We can only choose what we do with the time we have. Paul points out that love starts inside us and comes out to the world in service to others.

In this season of Lent, instead of giving up, perhaps we should start giving ourselves, our hands and feet, our minds and bodies, in some new way to serve God and share his love. If Paul is right, this will lead to our salvation, whatever time we live in.

Prayer

Dear Lord, let me find the work that you would have me accomplish, and be joyful in serving your kingdom to the end of my days. In Christ name, Amen.