love moves oh yes it does

Since I started doing graphic design for our church, I get to see our series ahead of time.  And I was sooo excited to hear about this one!  And even more excited when I heard how we were going to move in love!  In simple ways.  In the everyday.  By being available and attentive to the needs of people around us.  In kind gestures and thoughtful actions.  Paying for the person's coffee in line behind us.  Carrying groceries to a mother's car.  Delivering meals to the hungry.  Filling someone's car with gas.  The list goes on and on there's no end to the possibilities of love.  There's no stopping love when it's on the move!

When our pastor announced it this Sunday, I just couldn't contain my excitement.  This is what the church should look like!  This is how the world should define us.  On Saturday, we are all meeting at the church and then splitting off into several different areas in our community to show the love of Jesus in real, tangible, practical ways.  This entire month is going to be full of love on the move.

I can't wait.  And I shouldn't wait!  Everyday I'm surrounded by opportunities to give love.  Even if I never leave my house.  My husband comes home seeking a sanctuary of peace, my children are testing my love with their attitudes and actions.  My neighbors may be lonely.  My friends may be hurting.  And I want to be a vessel of God's love.

But can I be honest?  Sometimes I don't feel like my love tanks are full enough.  Sometimes I feel exhausted from the amount of love four kids and a husband need.  Sometimes I'm too focused on my own struggles to see someone else struggling.  Sometimes I just don't feel very loving.  And that's when I realize how much I need God's love.  It's HIS love not mine, that changes hearts and fills souls.  Nothing I try to do in my own power will have any effect on His Kingdom.  I NEED JESUS.  I WANT HIS LOVE to MOVE through me.

"Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.  Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat."  2 Corinthians 5:14 MSG

P.S. I just read the lyrics to an awesome song here right after I posted this.