I find myself in a situation that I am not yet ready to put into words.

Have you ever had something SO INTENSE happening that you know you need to record your thoughts about it but the mere thought of putting what you are thinking  into real actual phrases seems overwhelming because then those thoughts have become REAL?

Yep…that is where I am.

In fact, it almost is worse, because those words are trapped in my head and do not want out just yet…

Soon, the release will come… but not yet.

In the meantime, the Lord is holding me close and (not always in subtle or gentle ways) guiding me. Today is an example:

Kingdom perspective, God‘s perspective,  this is bigger–than–just–me perspective must be intentionally placed in the forefront of my mind.

In John 13, Jesus is giving His friends -the disciples- some final instruction and encouragement. He knows He will be leaving them soon but they all think they are having a nice family dinner.

The question is asked: what would your final instruction be to those you love most in the world if you knew this would be the last time you could talk to them?

Would it be about a football score? The annoying person at work? A complaint about the weather?

Would it be advice about money? A lesson in playing tennis or how to cook something?

Jesus chose to teach His friends about the one thing that they would take with them into every situation…how to love.

” Jesus knew that His disciples hadn’t understood everything He had taught them, but the one thing He couldn’t risk was that they miss the meaning of love. Love means being loyal to others in spite of conflict, misunderstanding, or difficulty. Love means bending in self-sacrifice to ensure the ultimate good of the loved one” (The 365 Most Important Bible Passages For Mothers).

This kind of instruction requires love in action-meaning I need to live out what I want to teach just as Jesus did… living in “radical, selfless service”.

I am not capable of loving like this in my situation on my own abilities nor can I demonstrate it confidently without help from the Lord who is the DEFINITION of love.

This kind of love can only come from the Father and be manifested in me as a fruit of the Spirit….to ensure the ultimate good of the one loved.