Love Leaves Room For God

LOVE LEAVES ROOM FOR GOD

Begin by quieting your body and mind, remembering you are in God’s loving presence. Open your hands to reflect with your body your desire for a heart that’s open to whatever he has for you today. Spend a minute in silence.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;

I will pay them back,”

says the LORD.

Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.

If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap

burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Love calls us to allow space for God to work, transform, and correct. Where we want to stick our noses in, love says, “Leave room for God. Know that he sees. Know that he’s working.”

• What relationships come to mind when you reflect on the refrain “Leave room for God. Know that he sees. Know that he’s working”? Why? Ask God to help you understand what he might be inviting you to see or do.
• How might leaving room for God to work, transform, and correct cultivate patience in your relationships?
• What most frequently keeps you from leaving room for God?

Father, you are love. Jesus, you are love. Holy Spirit, you are love.

Shape me into the image of love, and lead me in the way of love. Amen.