Overcome by Love

Love is a powerful emotion. It is something that can do incredible things. It tears the veil between people. When you love people it allows you to see past numerous flaws, issues, problems, and offences that typically would separate you from them.

I have had this deep conviction lately that my love needs to grow. My fuse has been short. My patience and grace on the thinner side.

The other day Jesus had His way and grew my heart and its capacity to love. Sort of like in the movie the Grinch.  The part where his heart grew...

“And what happened, then? Well, in Whoville they say - that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinch’s, plus two!”

To get biblical about it here is a great example of how our love should be in regards to God, our friends, coworkers and really anyone in our lives.

“My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God. Pray about everything. I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges. And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you’re right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans—worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the book of life. Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them...” (Philippians 4 Msg)

A love like Christ’s is essential. We cannot do anything without it. Our love isn’t enough. And to be honest it can’t be, we love because Jesus first loved us. It’s impossible to love without Him. We each need fresh outpourings of his love if we want to accomplish anything, if we want to be on each other’s side, if we want to change the world, if we want to see heaven on earth. Love pierces through this tattered and worn world. It makes the broken beautiful. It takes our junk and turns it into treasured testimonies.

My heart had a beautiful Holy Spirit encounter the other day and it filled me up with love. My heart grew and I suddenly had even more of the tremendous power of Christ working in me. I got his perspective and the true purpose and meaning of things become clear.

This all happened at a conference this weekend with over 500 college students. I love college students. They are a huge part of my life. I have the honor of ministering to them as a Campus Missionary. This weekend I was blown away with how much He grew my love for them. I looked out at faces I didn’t know. Then at ones I did. I looked at my friends and fellow missionaries. My heart swelled at the mere thought of what God was doing in their lives. They made up a group that has the potential to change the world. Jesus loves them so much. He has great plans for them. I wanted them all to know I was on their side. Working with Jesus to break chains and gain tremendous victories in their lives.

They are world changers and I can’t imagine choosing any other group of people to do life with. These people may not be perfect and working with broken and fallen people can make my job messy, but love covers. Love makes everything worth it. Love puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end (1 Corinthians 13:3-7 Msg).

Love overcomes.