1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.
What of Today’s Verse…
It’s all very simple. God is love. He is its origin, example, and architect. I love because he loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it. I can love because he made me to have his likeness. He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because he does, first, last, and always.
Let us Pray:
God of comfort, thank you for comforting me with your love. Just as a child learns from parents how to do so many things, I want to learn to love as you do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively, so that others may know that they do not have to earn your love, only receive it. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Life’s Challenges…
For most of human history, the daily lives of ordinary people were literally consumed with simply staying alive. Top priorities were getting enough food to eat, maintaining some kind of shelter, having clothes to keep warm, and avoiding dangerous threats such as wild animals and invading humans.
By forming, refining and participating in civilization, we have largely freed ourselves from these immediate concerns. We have developed efficient systems which provide high quality food, clothing, shelter and physical security.
As a result, the immediate, physical challenge of everyday life has largely disappeared. Our consequences have grown more long term. A pre-historic hunter would have gone hungry very quickly had he suddenly chosen not to work. The modern-day worker can use savings, credit cards and food stamps to hang on through years of unemployment without going hungry.
Yet life without challenge is meaningless. As our most basic needs are met, we must develop higher and higher aspirations to provide a worthy challenge. In some ways this goes against our nature, because for thousands of years mere survival was challenge enough.
Think about your legacy for a moment. Realize that thousands of years of blood and sweat and strife have put you where you are — with your microwave oven, air-conditioned car, Internet access, 50-channel cable TV, cellular phone, supermarket and dishwasher. The old challenges have been met. To bring a fulfilment to your life demands that you fashion and pursue your own challenges. It is an exciting opportunity and a serious responsibility.
