Proverb for Today
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. (Proverbs 10:12, MEV)
Devotional Thought
Our culture today has such a skewed version of love.
Think about it. The collective emphasis is on ME: what benefits me most, what feels best to me, what makes me look good, what advances my agenda and interests. Love yourself! I don’t think we need to elaborate more; we see this played out all around us.
We’ve missed it. In our attempt to love ourselves first, we’ve stopped truly loving others and just become selfish.
In our attempt to love ourselves first, we've stopped truly loving others and just become selfish. Click To TweetIf I only “love” when it’s convenient for me, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” when it’s easy for me, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” when it’s safe for me, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” as long as I don’t get hurt in the process, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” as long as my image isn’t affected, do I truly love the other person?
Can I be transparent with you? I have struggled to love others the past few years.
Even as a 25-year-old man I want to stay safe, protected, and unhurt by other people. After my parent’s divorce, I’ve purposefully become more reclusive—insulated—to try to protect myself; to “love myself” first. This tendency motivates my self-interests above that of truly loving those around me, including my family. But in “loving myself” I fail to love others when they need love most. See how this works?
If I only love others when it’s in my best interests, I don’t truly love them.
If I only love others when it's in my best interests, I don't truly love them. Click To TweetIt hurts to show love to people sometimes. And that’s ok.
It hurts to still love them when they’re calling you out for doing too much and for not doing enough.
It hurts to still love them when they write you off.
It hurts to still love them.
This is what the writer meant when he said, “Love covers all sins.” In spite of them and what they may have done wrong (or right), love. And trust me, I’m still getting started in this practice of love, but you’d better believe I’m committed to keep loving.
Because someday, I’ll need others to love me just the same, in spite of my faults.
Reflect and Respond
- How would others describe the love you show them? Is it self-serving or biblical?
- Think of that person who is so impossible to love. Imagine being in their shoes; how would you want to be loved . . . by you? Show them this love today.
- What affect will showing biblical love have not just on those around you, but you too?
Written by : Nate Calvert
Nate Calvert is a Christian husband, pastor, and businessman who believes life as a Christian doesn’t have to be complicated.
He is passionate about investing in those around him and sharing the message of Jesus everywhere he goes.
Proverb for Today
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. (Proverbs 10:12, MEV)
Devotional Thought
Our culture today has such a skewed version of love.
Think about it. The collective emphasis is on ME: what benefits me most, what feels best to me, what makes me look good, what advances my agenda and interests. Love yourself! I don’t think we need to elaborate more; we see this played out all around us.
We’ve missed it. In our attempt to love ourselves first, we’ve stopped truly loving others and just become selfish.
In our attempt to love ourselves first, we've stopped truly loving others and just become selfish. Click To TweetIf I only “love” when it’s convenient for me, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” when it’s easy for me, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” when it’s safe for me, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” as long as I don’t get hurt in the process, do I truly love the other person?
If I only “love” as long as my image isn’t affected, do I truly love the other person?
Can I be transparent with you? I have struggled to love others the past few years.
Even as a 25-year-old man I want to stay safe, protected, and unhurt by other people. After my parent’s divorce, I’ve purposefully become more reclusive—insulated—to try to protect myself; to “love myself” first. This tendency motivates my self-interests above that of truly loving those around me, including my family. But in “loving myself” I fail to love others when they need love most. See how this works?
If I only love others when it’s in my best interests, I don’t truly love them.
If I only love others when it's in my best interests, I don't truly love them. Click To TweetIt hurts to show love to people sometimes. And that’s ok.
It hurts to still love them when they’re calling you out for doing too much and for not doing enough.
It hurts to still love them when they write you off.
It hurts to still love them.
This is what the writer meant when he said, “Love covers all sins.” In spite of them and what they may have done wrong (or right), love. And trust me, I’m still getting started in this practice of love, but you’d better believe I’m committed to keep loving.
Because someday, I’ll need others to love me just the same, in spite of my faults.
Reflect and Respond
- How would others describe the love you show them? Is it self-serving or biblical?
- Think of that person who is so impossible to love. Imagine being in their shoes; how would you want to be loved . . . by you? Show them this love today.
- What affect will showing biblical love have not just on those around you, but you too?
Written by : Nate Calvert
Nate Calvert is a Christian husband, pastor, and businessman who believes life as a Christian doesn’t have to be complicated.
He is passionate about investing in those around him and sharing the message of Jesus everywhere he goes.
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