Text: Esther Müller, Head of Administration, Thomaskirche Basel (CH)
"Let everything you do be done in love." This short sentence in the Bible, which Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians in chapter 16, verse 14 , accompanies us in our church community this year. But as short as the request is, it is powerful. This sentence really challenges me.
I'm thinking of the troublesome people who don't behave the way I think they should. Who drive me to despair with their peculiarities and annoy me. The dog owners who let their dogs run around freely even where they are supposed to be on a leash, which turns my bike ride into an obstacle course. There are many more examples.
And then there is this short sentence: "Let everything you do be done in love." And my thoughts definitely belong there too. They should also be characterized by love for my fellow human beings.
But how is that supposed to work? How do I get there? No one can do that! It doesn't say "make sure you succeed in living love as often as possible," but "everything," meaning always. I can't do that. And now what?
Two things help me. Firstly, the many promises in the Bible that God gives me his love in abundance. He gives me so much love that I can easily pass it on. Like those fountains with the different bowls on top of each other. Water runs into the top bowl until it overflows and flows into the next bowl. So I don't have to produce love for my fellow human beings myself, but I receive it for free from God and can pass it on.
And secondly, it helps me to pause for a moment whenever anger starts to rise up inside me. To take a quick breather and think about why the person is acting like that. Most of the time, the people around me don't really mean any harm. Maybe they aren't even aware that their behavior is a challenge for others. And maybe there is even a discussion here and there that can clarify things.
These two things help me, but of course I'm still a long way from everything I do being done in love. I just keep trying.
And God continues to love me, with so much love that I can pass it on to my fellow human beings. He forgives me when I fail, takes me by the hand and walks with me on - full of love.
Comments