Today's practice is not a novel idea. I have a daily morning prayer routine that involves the Book of Common Prayer and the devotional guide that our church provides. I pray daily that His purpose would be revealed to me.
Until fairly recently, I felt that His purpose was a mystery. And I still grapple with what I want to be when I grow up. But I am learning that His purpose is very clear.
As stated in John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." In 1 Peter, Christians are encouraged to "above all hold unfailing your love for one another." Paul reminds us that while these gifts are God given and the use of those gifts are essential for Christ's mission to be accomplished, none of these matter if love is not at the core of our motives. I love how in verse 1 of 1 Cor. 14, Paul says, "Make love your aim".
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis outlines that the Church "exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.”
If love is the aim, what does Christian love look like?
Love that never fails to visit the elderly shut-in.
Love that brings you supper when you are in the grip of grief.
Love that changes diapers and rocks babies in the nursery.
Love that makes preschool Christmas ornaments sparkling with glitter (Satan's dandruff).
Christian love is that of servitude and humility. It always points to the Cross, that we are crucified with him so that we are resurrected into new life.
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