Walk in Love

Today I had the privilege of listening to Monty Williams, the head coach of the New Orleans Pellicans give his wife'e eulogy.  One might wonder how that could be considered a privilege. What I witnessed however was nothing less than.  Monty Williams was widowed last week due to a head on collision.  His wife's death left him to raise 5 children on his own. 

His eulogy paid great homage to his wife.  Greater yet the eulogy honored the God of the universe.  To the Jews he is called Yeshua Hamachiach.  To Christians he is called Jesus Christ. Mr. Williams honored Christ, and honored his wife's service to all that matters in life.   He went on to tell us that we need to pay attention to what really matters. He said, " What Jesus did on the cross...that's what matters." Then he did something incredible.  He expressed Christ's love to the family of the driver of the other car.

His exact words were, “Let us not forget that there were two people in this situation, and that family needs prayer as well,” Williams said. “And we have no ill will toward that family. That family didn’t wake up wanting to hurt my wife. Life is hard — it is very hard — and that was tough. But we hold no ill will toward the Donaldson family.”   

Wow!  this is one of the greatest testaments to walking in love that I have seen in a long time.  Monty Williams could have stood at the pulpit mourning and crying for justice

or wishing ill will on his "enemy".  Instead, he showed grace to a family who is also facing a life without a loved one.  

As you read Walk in Love today, take a moment to remember the grace we have all been given. I encourage you to extend that grace to someone else today.  Even if, in the world's eyes, they don't deserve it. 

Walk in Love Joyce Wyrostek - February 23 

In Ephesians 5:2 Paul says, “And walk in love, as Christ has loved us and has given Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”  Loving as Christ loved is a journey of sacrifice beginning with a choice.  We assume that love is a feeling that overtakes us; that when it strikes we have little control over the course it will take.  However in the way that it is addressed throughout scripture love is a choice.

To truly walk in love we set aside self for the sake of another.  Paul states it this way in Philippians 2:3-5, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others.”

There is no pre-packaged formula for loving another.  There is no add and stir recipe for the love of God to gush forth.  We choose to make loving others a priority that is right next to that of loving God.  Jesus commanded (not suggested) in Matthew 22:37-40, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself, On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

When we make the choice and commit ourselves to obeying the command, something supernatural begins to happen within the Spirit man which when yielded to changes our heart and brings the outward flow of what has been worked in the Spirit that we reflect the Love of God through us.  Our difficulty is often we attempt to convey to others something that has not been made complete in us – yet.  As we sit together with Christ in heavenly places we get changed from Glory to Glory – So stay seated and marvel at the Love of God for you first.