1 John 4:20-21 The Message version of the Bible

^20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

1 Peter 4:8-11 The Message

^7-11 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, 

Reflection

Google defines a meme as “a humorous image, video, piece of text, etc., that is copied (often with slight variations) and spread rapidly by Internet users.”  I might describe a meme as “a little video, picture or phrase on social media that make a point or pokes fun at something – and gets passed around a lot.”

If your house is like our house – there are a lot of memes floating around. In all honesty, I try not to look at them, because the ones my kids think are funny don’t often make me laugh.  Or I laugh and I shouldn’t, because they are not appropriate and my kids are showing me to get a rise out of me(one of the fatal mommy faux pas that come back and haunt you at a later time!!!!).

This week Kevin shared a meme that came across his social media.  It was too good not to share.  I have so many ways I would love to reflect on it, and yet I think the power of it is its simplicity and its truth.

I love you.  You’re probably thinking I don’t know you, so how can I love you.  Well, if people can hate for no reason, I can love.  Meme

Prayer

God, help me to love for no reason and for every reason. Help me to live as a reflection of your love. Help me to see you in everyone I meet and to work toward ending hatred in your good creation.  Amen.

To Listen and Sing

This is someone’s choice of hymns that was sent to me when I asked what you would imagine Jesus singing.  The words originate in scripture;1 Corinthians 13.