A Rare “Gem”

Genuine opal

I am grateful, Father, for the progress I made on this Sunday’s sermon. It still needs some work, but as I listen to You, it will be what You need it to be for those who hear it. Bless Your Holy Name!

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (<<click here to read the passage)

Lord Jesus, this passage highlights an important spiritual concept for Paul – the idea that we are to be so full of love that it overflows! Some time ago, I wrote of overflowing when Paul spoke of it in Philippians 1:9 (“Overflow”)

In this particular passage, the love that should “grow and overflow” is all-inclusive – it is to be a “love for one another and for all people.” My Life Application Study Bible makes an excellent point. “It’s not enough merely to be courteous to others, we must actively and persistently show love to them. Our love should be growing continually.”

It’s just so natural to take the easiest path. Instead of letting our love overflow we just want the way that we love to go with the flow. If it’s convenient – sure I can love. If it’s going to take me out of my comfort zone – eh, is it really that important? But it is that important – love is important!

When it comes to newsworthiness, be it TV or the internet, there’s an overwhelming amount of junk to jump into and bury ourselves in. But…even in those venues love gets everyone’s attention. Stories that show love for fellow dwellers of the earth, be they human or not, stop us in our tracks – they go “viral” for good reason.

As human beings, we are drawn to love! For many, it is a rare “gem” to be unearthed. Even if the “gem” of stone is given to someone else, we have to see it! Our heart’s desire is that we might find that “gem”, too! Why won’t someone give me that “gem”?

Genuine gems are rare – so is genuine love. Lord, You told us (John 13:35) that “everyone will know that [we] are [Your] disciples, if [we] love one another.” NIV

Your statement is fact, and it must be fleshed out in our lives every day! Genuine gems are valuable – imitation gems, not so much. The same goes for love. Manufactured love doesn’t go very far, but genuine love? People are drawn to it. Lord if we would continually grow and cultivate Your love in us there will be plenty to go around. We can give, give and there will always be more – for Your love knows no end, it just continues to multiply!

Lord, Jesus, help me to love as You love. May I be a vessel where Your love can be cultivated so much so that its abundance will be available to all – and overflow!

(July 22^nd, 2015, Wed, 5:57 am)
Dec 7^th, 2022, Wed, 6:43 pm