He Did the Love of God
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we
love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
—1 John 3:18 nlt
When I was a young boy, my father was a
police officer in a small New Jersey town. He left our home one day, never to
return. He was killed by a person with a weapon spraying a hail of bullets in
his direction, and life as I knew it was over. The hero of my life was gone;
his love could now only be felt through memories. Soon after his death, my
mother relocated our small family to Anderson, Indiana.
We started attending Sherman Street Church of God and became members. I
was introduced to a brother in the church named Jerome Brown. Jerome became a
big brother to my brother and me. He was someone that God used to help mend the
broken hearts of two little boys. Jerome was the person God used to express his
extreme love for us. During our time in Anderson, God would use many people to
express his love for us, but I remember Jerome being among the first in my
life. Jerome used simple but effective ways to show my brother and me the love
of God. He was there with a word of encouragement and support, but he also
employed acts of love. He would take us to his home to watch sporting events on
TV. He would work with us on our basketball skills at a playground near his
home. He provided memberships for us at the local YMCA. One very memorable
event was a weekend trip he and his wife planned for us to Cincinnati, Ohio, to
watch the Cincinnati Reds play baseball. Jerome did not “preach” to us as he
shared the love of God; he simply and effectively “did the love of God.”
Because of Jerome’s presence in my life, and his actions, God was able
display his love for me at a time of loss and hurt.
I know from experience that putting love into action is a powerful tool
God uses to express his extreme love for us. Often it is not just what is said
that will convey the love of the Lord, but it is how it is demonstrated. Jerome
allowed God to use him as the vehicle to demonstrate his love. It is true that
words, lovingly given, are great expressions of God’s love; but the loving
actions of another person are also powerful expressions of God’s love for us.
Both can be lifelines to save one from death and as a means of drawing people
to Christ.
O God, use me to show your love to
others at just the right time.
Calvin
Waddy, Senior Pastor, Central Community Church of God, Jackson, Mississippi
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