Casseroles Can't Compete
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 (NLT)
In the South, we love our casseroles. I grew up in a Church where I learned early on that casseroles cure all. Well, almost.
Recently, I was reminded that a good casserole only gets me so far on this mission of making disciples.
What really breeds disciples is love.
The people that God has put around us aren’t impressed with
how much scripture we know,
how many Bible studies we’ve completed,
how many hours we serve at the Church,
or how many casseroles we prepare for those around us who need a good helping of love with some melted cheese on top.
They look at how we treat others.
Period.
How we respond in good times.
How we react in bad times.
And, how we love the unlovable right where they are.
That’s the barometer.
So, how in the heck do we love and treat others well when it seems impossible?
The whiny co-worker in the cubicle next to you.
That challenging customer.
The mother-in-law who brings you to the brink of insanity most days.
Your spouse’s ex-wife.
The crabby neighbor.
Your own family member who you swear can’t be related to you, but somehow is.
Thank the Lord we don’t have to rely on our own strength to treat others with a love we can’t even comprehend. Can I get an Amen?!
But, we do have to surrender. We have to allow God’s love take the lead. That’s the only way to show the world a love that is unimaginable.
And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)
We can love above our own abilities.
We can let God’s love take the lead in our lives.
We can reflect His image in our world.
Because love trumps a casserole any day of the week.
READ: John 13:34-35; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
PRAY: Ask for God’s love to take the lead in your life – for Him to show you how to love like only He can through you.
GROW: Be intentional about how you treat others. Surrender those tough relationships to God, and ask Him to remove the veil and reflect His glory in your life.
