Week 2. Day 4 – Love Has No Limits

One Spirit. Above all. Through all. In all.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God;
 Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God,
 If we love one another God lives in us,
 And his love is perfected in us.
I John 4: 7, 12

Judy knows the love of Jesus and its presence in her life.  As a Christian, she’s thankful for the church and those who taught and loved her, keeping her safe. Yet, the church to which she belongs continues to warn her about the world beyond its doors that does not know God.

However, lately, Judy experiences lived love and generous grace outside the walls of this beloved church.  Beyond the doors of the narthex, she vividly sees mercy and justice in action. 

She loves a new friend. Michael, who acts with a deep commitment to the service of others. He lives with loyalty, kindness and a brave heart showing mercy even as the words, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior” is not part of his story. He knows love from his own transformed experience of pain and integrates care and concern for the sake of others. 

Judy has joined an organization working for justice against racism, gender-based violence and the mean-spirited judgement of LGBTQ.  Judy watches the workers of this group grow in awareness of the pain of one another, believing their stories of injustice with no condemnation, providing shelter, support and empowerment.  This particular small band of committed workers has no need of religion to prove their worth, though other Christians work on similar issues.

Standing in awe, Judy sees the power of the Spirit at work in the world beyond what she had known, even beyond religion.  “Love,” she sighs in gratitude, “Love has no limits.”

Breathprayer:

              Breathing in:   Holy Spirit…

Breathing out: …sustaining us all.

Reflection: Describe an experience when you saw the power of God’s Spirit at work in the world beyond a religious institution.

This reflection is written for the Online Lenten Devotion of the Southeast Iowa synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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