How do you respond when you experience something really great? If you're like me, you cannot wait to tell someone! I want to share the joy of my excitement with those I love so that they'll experience that same joy.
This is how John begins his message to the flock he pastored, in 1 John 1:
"From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in -- we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!" {The Message, by Eugene Peterson]
John knew Jesus Christ - he had "experienced" Him. This was such a fantastic experience that John wanted those he loved to enjoy the benefits of knowing Jesus personally. He continues writing about what it's like to live life in personal relationship with Jesus, the very Son of God. He uses such words as eternal life, true love, the security of knowing, the reality - not the illusion. All these truths result in confidence and an abundant life. This is what every one of us desires for our precious grandchildren. If we have "tasted" this for ourselves, we want to share it with those we love.
I don't necessarily remember my Grandmothers using a lot of words regarding the love of Christ. No, their actions spoke so loudly, I didn't have to hear the words. When we love the way Jesus loves, we don't have to use a lot of words to talk about it -- the actions of love speak volumes...more is caught than taught.
What did your actions or attitudes speak to your grandchildren when they were with you last? Was it light that illumines the way, and salt that preserves life?
This week, let's pray:
~ for ourselves - 1 John 1:7: "If we walk in the light, God Himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin." Father, show us how to walk in the light of your love. Reveal any darkness, expose any sin in my life that needs to be purged from my heart. Let Your light shine from my heart to _________'s heart.
~ for our grandchildren: "Father, shine Your light on __________'s heart. Let him/her know the light of Your love as she/he experiences You each day."
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