Maneuvers - No. 65
My Love
Through You
How do you love others, friend? What does it look like?
Most of us want to love others in a way that’s selfless, generous, kind, gentle, and strong. But actually walking in that kind of love? That’s another story, isn’t it?
We truly want to give and serve without expecting anything back. We want to forgive without hesitation, no matter how much we’ve been hurt. We want to reflect Jesus to this lost and hurting world.
But there are obstacles in our way–insecurity, jealousy, frustration, unforgiveness, regret, or perhaps one of the biggest hurdles, fear.
How do we overcome these obstacles so that Jesus’ love can flow freely through us and impact our world?
There’s no easy answer, friend. No one-size-fits-all solution.
And that’s because Jesus himself wants to be our answer. He wants to lead us by the hand, teaching us to surrender each problem as it arises, opening our hearts so he can heal us and work in us, and to see others from a new perspective–from his eyes.
So why not start now? This week’s message is a rich invitation not only to let go of what holds us back from love–but also to receive. To receive hope and healing and peace and wisdom.
Let’s open our hearts today, friend. Come and receive…
01.
The Message
“Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. Come. Be like a child and trust me: It is an act of maturity to let everything go. To surrender and be okay with all that you do not know. That is how you grow–stronger and wiser, resilient and indefatigable. Your life is more than what you see and know–more than what you readily understand. Do not measure the worth of your life. It is not limited to memories of the past or possibilities for the future. It is more than pages you turn in a photograph album, or words you’ve written, or people’s stories–how you are viewed by others. You don’t have to worry about the worth of your life. I measure it. I adore you.
“For I birth you again, each day. And why wouldn’t I? I bring you back to me when you want me to. I give you teaching that guides you. I give you wisdom that emboldens you to act on what you know is good and true. Do you want this teaching and wisdom? Do you believe me? Will you listen to me now?
“Do not live in regret. You can look back at the past—your life–but do it with gratitude and wonder. Not necessarily for all the circumstances of suffering, for I know there have been many (and I can make all things good), but for appreciating this one truth–I love you. If you know I love you–and you let me love you, then you can’t help but love me back. And then you can’t help but experience my love in all the ways, all the ways, all the ways I have made you to love. Through this lens of love you can withstand any suffering of this world. And through this love you can recognize the glory of your life–the miracle of a day, the expectation of good coming, the realization of love for you now, now, now.
“Think about my love. Think about how you are loved. And then do all things in love. All things. All things. I promise you this: I will be the one who is loving through you. Let me love you, and let me love through you. You can trust me to do this. Stay here, in this space I inhabit, this home where you are meant to be. In freedom. In joy. In hope. In love. In me.”
02.
Listen
Take a moment to reflect on how you felt as you read this week’s message. How did Holy Spirit’s words affect your perspective of life and the world around you? Let’s take a few minutes to be silent and then write out a prayerful response to the Lord.
03.
Think
“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle” (Romans 12:10, MSG).
1. What words from today’s message resonated with you the most? What encouraged you? What challenged you?
2. Where do you want to experience more of Jesus’ love and see it flow through you? What fears, insecurities, or regrets stand in your way?
3. Re-read Romans 12:10. How do these words apply to specific situations in your life? How does Holy Spirit want to empower you to walk out these truths? What will that look like?
04.
Trust
The world is often confused about love–what it truly is and looks like. Its version of love is often just a mere shadow of what we were made to experience in and with Jesus.
But what if God allows us to experience the world’s imperfect love so that we know what it is to crave his perfect love? And then to receive it, taste it for ourselves, and reveal it to others around us?
The truth is, when we find it hard to love like Jesus, it may be because there’s an aspect of God’s love that he wants us to experience–perhaps in a new way.
For today’s exercise, let’s dive deeper into God’s love for us and others. To start, let’s read the following passages aloud. (To make these more personal, try inserting your name where applicable.)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV).
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV).
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life” (Isaiah 43:4, ESV).
What did these passages show us about how God feels about us? What about the lengths he’s willing to go to protect us and be with us?
Now it’s time to get really honest with ourselves. Who in our lives is difficult to love? Who has hurt us over and over again? Who demands so much of our time and energy?
Let’s think about each of those people. With their faces in our minds, let’s re-read the passages above and insert their names as we read aloud.
Can we pause here and ask Holy Spirit to show us how he feels about these people we have a hard time loving? Let’s ask him to show us his heart for them and help us to see their lives, personalities, and even their weaknesses through his eyes.
Pause here… breathing in and breathing out… meditating on God’s love… for us… for other people…
And now, let’s respond to the Lord in gratitude and prayer.
05.
Pray
Father, thank you for loving me so unconditionally. Your affection is so much more amazing than I can comprehend! There’s nothing you wouldn’t do to save me or provide what’s best for me or make me more like you.
Thank you also for showing me how you love others–including the people I struggle to love and serve. I give to you right now (let’s open our hands) all of my frustrations, insecurities, jealousies, regrets, and fears… I surrender to you and I trust you, Father.
Fill me up with your kindness and let me experience your love for me in a deeper way so I can love others like you do. I know you want to use me to love this world. I want that, too. Show me how. I’m here, ready and willing.
You’re my joy, my reason for living. I love you so much.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
