Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. (1 John 3:23)
My sister's life is a living testament to her name: Jessica—meaning "Yahweh exists." There were many times in her life where doctors didn't expect her to live, times when even secular doctors exclaimed "miracle." I could write about how she had a genius IQ at eight years old and was in a nearly year-long coma by nine years old due to an unfortunate medical malpractice. Her journey is long (15+ brain surgeries) and continues to bring glory to God's name; but this is not that story today. This is the story of the young girl who was sitting at the bedside of this life and the power of love.
I can sympathize with the disciples. Sometimes I am quick to forget the miracles I have seen with my own eyes. They were quick flashes in time. What is not easily forgotten is how vividly I saw God through the active love that poured out consistently over time from my parents.
The Bible is riddled with great verses on love, but with this short time I want to dive in deep. I believe strongly that God becomes visible through our love of each other. John says "And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us" (1 John 3:23). One singular integrated command despite its two parts. If we aren't doing the second (loving one another), we aren't doing the first (believing in Jesus). Our eternal life is received by faith and demonstrated by love; my parents were prime examples of this despite the devastating times in their lives. Their steadfast faith put into daily action—brought God to me in the most visible way possible. It created a happy childhood where there should have been pain. My sisters and I lived a blessed life, unaware of the many trials that unfairly plagued our family. Every day we marveled in the joy that flows from God, unaware of the happenings around us. Creating a childhood where others that had everything flocked to our dinner table despite the 30-minute drive into the secluded Colorado countryside. What they, too, were able to see was the power of love. What we lacked in possessions we made up in love. We were rich in love.
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
Can God be visible? When was He most visible to you? What is one way you can make God visible to others this Christmas season?
