Leaving love

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

“One of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most important is,… “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.'” Mark 12:28-31

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

“Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

God’s love for His people is evident from the beginning of time when He designed creation as their home and them in His image for a full and fulfilling relationship with the triune Divine. The love emanating from His bountiful, perfect character was always intended to be mutual with the crown of His creation. Once they’re in a love relationship with the Savior, His love fills and spills from His children, scattering love drops to be received and savored wherever they go. (Genesis 1)

To love the Lord is not only the first command, but the first necessity if we are to love others. Heart, mind, soul, and strength are to pulse for the One who made us, seeking Him, spending time with Him, learning His ways. His love perfected in us frees us to express it in lavish, rich, and meaningful bounty. How deeply do we love Him? (1 John 4:15-20)

“Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart, 
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move. 
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are, 
and make me love you as I ought to love.” ~George Croly (1854)

When we love God first, then are desires shaped, affections rightly ordered, and manners refined to have compassion and generosity toward others along our path. Our nature translates to His. Patience, kindness, and grace abound in every interaction.

Where are we spreading love? How does the Lord’s light and affection emanate from our countenance, care, service among others? Where can we, by word, expression, or deed, leave a mark of Christ’s effusive, sacrificial, unconditional, life-giving gospel love today?

“Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.” ~Henry Van Dyke (1907)

Lord, inspire me to leave Your love with passion and purity wherever I go.