Exercising Love
I am ashamed to admit something, but believe it or not, I am out of shape. I am so far from being “in shape” it is embarrassing. I know I am probably the only person out there that has gotten into this situation. Let me put it like this, if I had to run to the mailbox, I mean actually run, I would be out of breath.
One thing that I truly enjoy is hiking. There is something special about being outside, surrounded by all of God’s created beauty that inspires me! I try to get out and hike at least once a week. My problem, or should I say challenge, is I am out of shape. So, I am sore after each hike. Usually on the morning following a hike I feel it. Muscles in my legs and back just scream as I attempt to move around the house! It never fails, I say to myself - you have got to exercise more often so this does not happen.
When Peter encourages us to love each other he tells us to “love earnestly or deeply”. He goes on to say loving each other like this will “cover a multitude of sins” . (1 Peter 4:8) The way in which we are to love is “deeply”. Peter is comparing loving deeply to the taut muscles of an athlete. Muscles that are stretched and strained; it is through this working the muscles get stronger. The more often the athlete works or practices the deeper their strength grows.
Again, we are back to action. Our lives as disciples, following after Jesus, are lives full of action. We are told by Jesus, to love the same way He loved us! (John 13:34) Jesus is calling us (you and me) to love so deeply that it hurts. We should be sore from loving so much. As we love like Jesus, the depth of our love for each other will grow, much like an athletes muscles grow stronger through exercise.
Peter follows this challenge up with a description of what our love should look like in action. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:9-11 ESV)
The Message says when we love like this, “God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus”. The promise Jesus spoke to His disciples, being seen in us! (John 13:34) Folks, that is powerful! Loving like this is life changing, marriage changing, family changing, community changing, church changing! Love deeply today and see Jesus on display for all around to see!