11 Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.
Reflection
In keeping with our Lenten Series on Seeking: honest questions for deeper faith, by Rev. Sarah A. Speed, our question for today is “Where did you see God today?” The question I have to ask myself is, “Was I intentional about seeing God today?” I have to answer, “No, I honestly wasn’t looking for God today.” I couldn’t see God because I lost my focus. I’ve been sick all week, my
work is piling up, my family demands remain constant and I’m feeling far from spiritual. The current social, political and economic conditions are not inspiring optimism. Like everyone, I feel like we’re working harder than ever and not making a difference.
In this current season, I’m feeling frustrated and disappointed. More than ever I’ve been
seeking time with God to answer my unending questions about this discipleship journey, reassure my doubts about where all of this mess we’ve made of everything on this planet is heading. And as I look down at my sleeve while typing this, I see my sweat shirt is on inside out-and not in a chic fashion statement kind of way.
Inside out! Like today’s verses from 1 John, it’s what’s on the inside of us that should show on the outside of us-God’s love. God’s Spirit is always within us, and we see the outer evidence of God’s presence when we show God’s love for each other. We see God’s love reflected in others, but most often we encounter God’s grace calling with in us. Of course we “see” the evidence of Creator God in God’s creation, a sunset, spring flowers and loved ones. But because God is Spirit, we need to see with our spiritual eyes too. We don’t need to run everywhere looking for God, because God remains within us, is faithful and never leaves us. Seeing God requires spiritual sight, in the same way putting on glasses makes everything clear. Seeking God means we’re willing to listen, discern and trust, so that no matter what is happening, we know that God is within us. God is at work perfecting that love in us, so that we can show God’s love to others, even in tough times, by following Jesus.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering and Prayer
So, where are you seeing God today? Is the love of God within you, also showing on the outside of you to others? Today, with all it’s distractions, try not to lose focus and be intentional about seeing God’s love and showing God’s love to others .
Prayer: Holy and Loving God, it’s easy for us to lose our focus on you with all that is occurring in our lives. Help us to remember to seek your love within us, so that we can show your love to others, that they may see You at work in their lives. Amen.
