The Speed of Love

– Today’s technology driven world makes it much easier to travel across continents in a blazing pace,

– Though as I have traveled I found it hasn’t been the places that were most impressive,

– Nor was it merely the amazing people I have met that have become appointments from God,

-There has been something much more special that was reinforced to me recently as the golden nugget of truth…

– Simply put it was concept I’d like to call the speed of love,

– Sadly I find in the United States more than other countries we live in a self-centered, blind sort of way many times,

– We make sure that our children are reinforced that talking to strangers is a bad thing,

– I am not naïve enough to believe that lesson is permeated with illogical basis for our youngsters,

– Though it is robbing them of an internal gift of wisdom, love and blessing,

– It shows up in the way I have seen people of other lands open their hearts from first glance,

– Like a child who gasps his/her first breathe exiting his mother’s protective womb,

– Recently in Ecuador I was overwhelmed by signs of immense affection from children and adults,

– They sought nothing in return and merely desired to make sure they knew how much my visit meant to them,

– What do you do when people from other lands cross your path in life and back at home?

– I pray we could say the same for us about how we show others love,

– The Lord has made it clear to the most giving person that without love we have nothing,

– I firmly believe our lives are full of appointments from God in which certain people were meant to cross our path,

– Sometimes your heart can be touched in a deep, meaningful and unexpected way,

– The key is for us to open ourselves up to the unknown and potential goodness found in each new person,

– While seeking God asking him what he desires for us to do to be a blessing to that person,

– Rather than placing inappropriate judgment or focusing on what we could get from a relationship with them,

– One great example of this all to me was a woman named Rita from Quito,

– Though we spoke through translators to communicate with one another,

– Though we came from economic classes and lifestyles that were as different as night and day,

– No barrier existed when it came to expressing and showing each other heartfelt love,

– It didn’t stop her tears from penetrating the depths of my soul as they streamed down her face,

– It didn’t stop the back of my hand from gently whipping them away and reciprocating love to her,

– Nor did it stop her being filled with hope and me with encouragement to inspire her to run down her dreams,

– The amount of time we spent was limited but clearly irrelevant,

– God proved me to me that nothing limits his work including time,

– Tomorrow is truly never guaranteed to any of us,

– Today is full of opportunities to extend love that you will never give unless you truly open your heart and eyes,

– So I pray you live today in a way that shows how you value the beautiful speed of love…

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* 1 Corinthians 13:3
“If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

* James 2:5
“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”

* 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Do everything in love.”

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God bless,

Joe

* feel free to contact me personally with any questions or comments.