Yesterday morning I lit the candles on the back deck, rearranged the pillows and snuggled deep onto the day bed, took the first sips of morning coffee, and slowly watched the remaining of the dark night fade away to the morning sun over the banks of the lake. It was the best “quiet” time I’ve had in a while. First of all, it was just me, Jesus, and some of his creation enjoying this moment. I began playing this hymn medley by Anthem Lights which includes a rearranged version of Amazing Grace, Be Thou My Vision, I Need Thee, and others. While I was out there listening to the words, I noticed the birds started getting more active with their own songs around me. Every time I played the music, they seemed to be joining right in. Ben came out onto the porch later and I started playing the music again, within a few seconds a few little birds flew towards the back deck, landed in the closest tree and started chirping away. Such a beautiful picture of creation revealing His majesty. It was as if they too knew the beauty of those words.
We would have missed that moment except that my sweet friends Sam and Andy had reached out to us earlier and offered their lake house for us to have a get away time together. However, they didn’t stop with the offer, they came out and gave it a fresh cleaning, they made sure we had supplies, they invited us over for delicious supper meals, shared much laughter and talking and given us a whole bunch of love and time.
They demonstrated love with their actions.
Today’s blog is written by one of my long-time childhood friends from school, Sherry Sloan. Sherry and I have kept in touch through social media mostly, but I can tell you her family has experienced some “life” like we all have. Still they trust and love Jesus and live for Him. Again, the Lord provided a real in the moment example to pair up with the verse beautifully.
Hear Sherry’s heart below …
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18
God is so good. He is patient and kind with us as we grow up and increase in understanding. I have loved this verse ever since I can remember. I think initially it was because the verse sounded so tender toward me the first time I read it. The way God speaks through John to call us His little children made me feel like I belonged to Him and was protected and cared for by everything I imagined a perfect parent could be and do. Even as a child I realized my parents were not perfect. If you have children, I hope they are still convinced that you are! Enjoy this stage, for they usually grow out of it all too quickly.
A great sense of comfort can help every one of us when we learn about God and the way He loves and takes care of us perfectly. His word reminds us that we are not an accident but that we are uniquely formed by His loving hands, Psalm 139:13-14. Then in 1 John 3:18 He instructs us on how to live out His love toward others: in deed and in truth. He also tells us NOT to live out that love with mere words.
It took me a long time and a lot of growing to begin to understand this instruction. I don’t know about you, but I like words, especially those described in Proverbs 16:24. “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” There are also times I like for someone to be able to just get to the point and tell me the truth, sweet or not. Even though the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words” is certainly true, words are necessary for most of us.
Truth in words, as John is describing in this verse (1 John 3:18) is more than mere words. It is words weaved together with consistent action. Jesus said He is Truth. He surely is the perfect example of words backed up by consistent action. And really, that’s the bottom line for us in all things. Be like Christ. When we speak love and back it up with action there is integrity to what we say.
James 2:16 explains this clearly. If we say to someone ‘Go and be clothed and filled’ but do not offer food nor clothing our words are meaningless. Loving in deed and truth is really loving.
It is also time-consuming, sacrificial and often thankless on this earth. When we feel unappreciated God can remind our hearts with a gentle touch and Scripture, that He sees every deed and that our greatest reward is with Him, Genesis 15:1.
So today, as we spend time with the One who notices and appreciates everything we do to honor Him, He shows us how to speak love to others and be intentional to back it up with action. Not because we are perfect and won’t mess up. Occasionally we will, and He will forgive us when we confess, repent, and believe Him. Still, we do it because our Father is perfect and wants the very best for us and this is a big part of His very best. “My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
Sherry Sloan