Here is a very meaningful and instructive verse in one of the bible’s most beautiful stories: “So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) Although, with God’s grace and mercy I have come a long way, I am not the most expressive guy in the world and I still feel slightly awkward when I find myself in tender moments. Nevertheless, sincere expressions of love and compassion mean a lot to me, although I still find it difficult to express my feelings. I was thinking of this recently as my wife and I were sitting side-by-side at this week’s prayer meeting. I don’t recall ever telling her this, and I’m not even sure if she even realizes it herself, but her little love taps or hand squeezes here and there give me much comfort and reassurance, reminding me that besides God, I’ve got the love and support from the one I love the most in this world. These little love expressions make me feel like the luckiest man in the world and grateful to God for having her in my life, despite the fact that we are in our “golden years.”
I think of the prodigal son on the day when he came home. I wonder how many tears he and his dad shared that day. I wonder how he felt when his dad hugged him like he had never hugged him before. They say that love is the universal language, that it says more than words can ever say; and I believe it. By now, you may be sensing that my principal aim in today’s blog is to encourage you to be mindful to express your feelings of love to your friends and those who are in your family. If that’s the case, you are correct. Nevertheless, I also am encouraging the same with a little bit of fear and anxiety. Let me explain.
Many people in life whose heart is not in the right place, may take this advice and use it to fuel their immoral tendencies, under the guise of being loving and compassionate individuals. They may even use the Apostle Paul’s advice in 2 Corinthians 13:12 to “greet one another with a holy kiss” as a license to be “overly affectionate.” Sadly, this happens just about everywhere and probably even more so in church. What these unscrupulous individuals don’t take into consideration is that, if they are fooling anybody, it is only themselves. One has to be very naïve not to be able to distinguish between love and lust, and every child of God has enough spiritual discernment to tell one from the other. Even so, child of God, don’t let other’s misdeeds discourage or deter you from doing right, even if you are naturally stiff and awkward like me. Find some way to express your love and appreciation in Christ to others, especially those who are in your family.
Memory verse for the week: (Hebrews 10:25) “Let us not give up meeting together, (going to church) as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
