Tag: LoveMore

How Much Do You Love?

How much do you love? Do we love like Christ? Do we try to love like Christ? I leave that to your discretion on how to determine those questions. I remember being asked by a brother one time about how much I love. I told him, a lot. So he asked me, “Christian, if it were to be 3AM and it is a blizzard outside and it’s freezing. You’re in your bed fast asleep and this friend of yours calls you because for some reason they just finished work and they ask you, ‘bro, can you drive me home? I can’t get a hold of my parents and I have no other way home’, will you be willing to bring them home?”

I remember I was left there pondering what I would do in that situation. When it came down to it, I said yes, I would. Why? At the time I never fully grasped why, I just knew that I was willing. Looking back at it actually, yes, that is the most extreme inconvenience if ever faced with that. But then again, I ask… how much do you love?

Love is a choice not a feeling. Love is something that was never meant to be convenient although it can be sometimes. Love is something that is meant to push us to see Christ in others. It is something that makes us a better version of ourselves. It allows us to see our weaknesses and allows us to conquer our dreams. Love allows us to do spontaneous things for those we choose to love.

Sound familiar? God does the same. God is Love and Love is God. In those situations of doubt and fear, anger or frustration… ask yourself, what would Christ do? The answer will always be love.

Lord, allow us to love just as You do. Give us the strength in times of anger or frustration, doubt or worry to just remember to love. Amen.

Christian

 

 

Love Pledge

Holy Hour, Lenten Retreat @ Saint Stephen’s Chapel

Jesus, you know what draws my heart to yours. You know what draws me to your presence at this moment in this Chapel, and here in Toronto. I believe that you have answered a great part of my prayers in my discernment for my vocation in drawing me to what matters most- to choose and commit to loving freely and deeply, the way that you did, the way that you are now, and the way you always will.

I accept the challenge the length of Lent (and beyond) to live single-minded for you. Not solely prioritizing the needs and tasks of the ministry as a FTPW, but bringing you even closer and intimately into this busy world of mine. I’ll do this by not only praying- but fasting deliberately and practicing almsgiving all the more.

I will bring to your attention the intentions of the ones that I love- their broken families, their physical and all-around healing. I will strive to be an obedient instrument of charitable love, serving for the good of others and not of mine. I do promise to not be so stubborn and take care of myself more. But ultimately I pledge to deny myself, not counting the seemingly large costs of mission -Your Great Commission- in my life. Because I know beyond a doubt that you will always be the fullness that will satisfy all the days of my life.

 I love You, my Lord and my God. (John 20:28)

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day.

From Your Beloved,

@cinderellish