“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” ~ 1 John 4:11-12
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…..The King will reply, ‘truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these you did for me.” ~ Matthew 25:35-36; 40
When we move in love, especially when such a walk is new to us, one question reigns supreme. How do we love a God we cannot see? How do we love a God we have never seen, and will never see until our time on earth is done? Sure, we worship. We praise. Hopefully our hearts and spirits are stirred by such things. But to actively love on a God we can’t see? I mean it isn’t like we can go up to the guy and just give Him a big hug, you know?
But there is an answer. See, even if we have a God we can’t see, we have a person standing in front of us who we can see, and see clearly. Love on them. When we do, God’s love is made complete in us.
Note how this verse doesn’t say ‘made complete in you.‘ No. This act takes two. When we love one another His love is made complete in us. When you love another, your spirit stirs. But His is awoken and made complete in both you and the person you’re loving. And since God Himself is love…well there’s your answer, isn’t it?
How do you love a perfect God you can’t see? By loving the broken one in front of you that you can see. Look closely into their eyes, let yourself see them, really see them. The eyes of Jesus Himself are staring back at you. He is truly residing in the least of these – don’t miss His presence just because it’s cloaked in shabby clothes. Don’t miss His beauty because it’s masked by a not-so-beautiful smell.
The face of Jesus is young. It is old and weathered. It has a gaze of brokenness, bearing years of pain and loneliness and abandonment. It is sometimes hidden behind a mask of hostility because at its core it is a vulnerable face. It is a face that remains hopeful despite all circumstances; or it is a face that reached its breaking point long ago. It’s a face you pass every day without a thought; it’s a face you’ve never seen before.
It’s the face in front of you.
God bless!
~Rebekah A
Being Rebekah 
Rebakah, I have been following your blog for some time now. You really do write some inspiring things. I find that with all the news and goings on in the world that there is a serious lack of faith. Jesus Christ is Holy. AMEN. God is the creator of all Heaven and Earth. AMEN. “Ye who have little faith…” I am truly greatful for my life, and be believe. Keep on spreading HIS Word!
Thank you! Mostly I’m just the hands on the keyboards and Jesus gives me the words to type. You can tell the days that I lead posts myself because they aren’t nearly as profound. 🙂 Anyway, I agree with you that there’s a lack of faith in the world. We in the northwestern hemisphere especially are a skeptical people. We also aren’t too great at noticing opportunities to walk in faith. Jesus’ command to love is so simple, and if we really walked in it it’d fill every second of every day. but the walls we put up and the insecurities we have really make it complicated and instead of doing it naturally we almost have to schedule it in. Time as a church to seek more of His heart!!
Your words stir the Almighty within as I see the battle between me and my son, a push and tug of strength. We both will be won by God’s love as the waters become calm. Day in and day out change comes, never forgetting the stronger house of Love resides inside, God’s house.
Amen! Love always wins!! 🙂 And the peace that is born of love is beautiful. On another note, I’ll be praying over your household And if you need/want any specific prayers or have something specific going on feel free to message me privately at being.rebekah.a@gmail.com. We’re in this walk together!
Thank you Rebekah for your kindness, although I do share some of my life and struggles I no longer ask for wants or needs outside my secret room. From there others come in, giving, offering. I feel your tithe is paid
Always a perfect reminder of how we can see Jesus and serve Him everyday. Amen, and thank you for the post!
Thanks! Yeah there’s always more of Him to see, isn’t there? Whether we’re looking or not! 🙂
The post and the passages inspired a song that I wrote. When I get to have it Youtube’d or something, I’ll send you the link 🙂
YES!!! That is AWESOME!!!!! Jesus is so cool. Can’t wait to hear it!! 🙂
Yes! We love Him by loving others. How great it would be if more of us live out this truth and not just say we love Jesus.
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“Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
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Our daily lives would seriously look so different if we were as free with our love as Jesus is with His. Amazingly and beautifully different. Something to work on with Him for sure!
Hi there! Just wanted to say thanks for visiting and liking our blog at http://www.lifeistoughbutgodalwaysmakesaway.wordpress.com Look forward to your return visits and comments.
Blessings,
Pastors George and Sharon
I mentioned how the verses you put in this post inspired the lyrics to my song, yeah? Well here’s the song! My friend and I got to sing it at our service last week! (I’m on the piano… playing uber simple chords, hehe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7_Nenn9Mok
Wow! This is so awesome! Your song is beautiful!! I am so glad you shared it with us. I love to hear that the Lord is inspiring people to sing a “new song”. Absolutely wonderful. I’m sure Rebekah A. will agree! 😀
Yes! Praise God! I love how the Word inspires music and songs to be sung 🙂
Oh my goodness I LOVE this!!!!! So amazing and so resonant and from the heart. I could almost hear Jesus saying “yes! That’s me!” It’s so cool how He moves our spirits through one another. Beautiful job and please. Your piano is great. Much better than mine, I have about a bajillion songs (by which I actually mean 3 or 4) that I wrote the lyrics to, figured out the melody to, and are permanently stuck in limbo because I can’t figure out the chords. Suffice to say I am completely amazed by you right now. 😉
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