‘Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.’ - 1 Corinthians 13:7
On Valentine’s day, our staff Jessica and Tsz Yan got a chance to walk around our neighborhood and exchange conversations with the workers who have been blessing our city with cleanliness and love.
'Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.' - Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT)
In these last few days, World Health Organization has announced that the Coronavirus (CO-VID19) is now a world pandemic. Since the outbreak, some of us may have been gripped by fear and anxiety in the midst of uncertainty and frustration. Others may feel bitter or hold anger against government leaders and those in authority, or share different views than us. No matter how you feel, the Lord understands and He is in our midst. I too, have personally been catching myself reacting unlovingly towards my parents because of the opposing views we have. Instead of responding in love and mutual understanding, I responded in anger and judgement. Yet, the Lord is gracious, and reminded me through 1 Corinthians and Ephesians on the importance of humility. Love requires humility, for love puts others before themselves. It does not demand others to be like you or think like you. You have room to embrace other people even if they share different thoughts or have a different level of faith than you. We are to love like how Christ loves us, and to forgive like how God forgives us. We are not perfect, and it is in moments like these when we need to ask ourselves if we can choose to love this person over winning an argument?
‘Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.’ - Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT)
As Christians, we live in a community, and in relationship with God and one another. Just as how Paul describes it in Ephesians, we are one body made up of different members, and each member plays an important part in carrying out their special work the Lord has called them to. As we work together, it facilitates the growth and health of the body. So, let us remain alert, be humble, be gentle, be patient and make every effort to keep ourselves united with the body of Christ, which is the church, for we are one body, one Spirit. When we don't make an effort to maintain unity, it opens the door for the enemy to stir up division amongst us.
So, can I challenge you today to humble yourself before the Lord as you re-read the verses above? What is the Holy Spirit revealing to you about God Himself? To you personally? How can you practice walking in humility and in love today?