Love In Action - Or - Love Inaction

Good afternoon faith community of LUMC,

When I settle down to write to you each week, I feel as though I have a dozen or so post-it notes metaphorically floating around in my head. Where have I seen this week’s scripture active in my day-to-day activities? What global or local event has graced our news sources on the television, radio, computer, or phone? How has God been present in and through my family the last few days? It all seems rich and relevant and worthy of leadership and reflection. And yet, if I address each of my mental metaphorical post-its, there may be no need for us to gather for worship on Sunday. ;)

I jest…a little.

Today’s image is different than the one created for our social media accounts earlier in the week. Brene Brown’s weekly email subscription included this image and quote; it seemed as applicable as the first Toni Morrison quote used in our pages.

Much of this week’s scripture and message is about how we respond, live out, and practice the act of love. While we can all study Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, those who have experienced the care of love know it is so much more than simply meeting one’s needs. Love is embracing, celebrating, and defending another. Love takes work. Love takes intentionality. Love takes showing up even when it’s hard, feels in vain, or is unrequited. Love is active not a passive existence.

Love is pervasive throughout scripture. It is a high calling established in the Torah, revered throughout the wisdom literature, demanded by the prophets, and embodied in Jesus. Based on Paul’s writings to the Corinthians, Paul believed love was an invitation to an personal transformation - Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth.

Perhaps the key each week is to seek the common thread between my proverbial post-it notes. Where is God calling my family and I to be the hands and feet of Jesus? Where is God calling you and I to be the change we desire to see in the world? Where is God speaking to us today and into the future?

May we ruminate on God’s call to us. May we meditate on God’s call to love. May we return when we are uncertain to the words of the prophet, Micah, “do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.”

Amen.