Let God Use You to Spread His Love

God’s love is perfect. God’s love is sacrificial. God’s love is eternal.

So how on earth are we–flawed human beings–expected to spread His love?

Well, it might be a little simpler than you think.

Earlier this week, I had an incredibly stressful day. Much of that stress resulted from a situation with a client who was particularly critical and demanding. Their words beat me down and I was ready to snap.

Then a text popped up on my phone.

I winced, then peeked at it. A smile spread across my lips.

A person from my church was offering to give me her jacket. A nice jacket, lightly worn, and something she thought I might enjoy.

I was completely caught off-guard, but in the best way possible.

New, positive thoughts filled my mind. Someone was thinking kindly of me? Someone wanted to bless me today?

That’s all it takes to show someone God’s love.

This woman didn’t know I was having a rough day. I’m not entirely sure what made her decide this jacket was meant for me. She could’ve stuffed it back into her closet, donated it to Goodwill, or sold it at a garage sale.

But instead, she chose to reach out to me and spread God’s love.

Showing God’s love often looks like “random acts of kindness.” But they aren’t random. They require listening to God’s leading and acting on the things He tells us to do.

Often that means sacrificing our own comfort, possessions, or time. We may even sacrifice our reputation when God nudges us to reach out to someone outside our circle.

There’s another difference between loving others and simply being kind. When we’re just being kind, we might be motivated selfishly. Perhaps we want to be seen as the “kind/good/caring person.” Perhaps we desire something in return, even if that’s simply being treated kindly back.

But when we show others God’s love, we don’t expect anything in return.

Why? Because we’re already satisfied by God’s love and kindness toward us.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV)

The loving gesture I experienced helped me to treat my client with more respect and generosity. My natural inclination was bitterness and resentment, which is just as wrong as the way my client mistreated me.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 

³ So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴ Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:1, 3-4 (NIV)

Does this mean we ought to surround ourselves with people who treat us poorly?

No.

Jesus’ inner circle primarily included trusted friends (with the exception of Judas). These were the people who got unlimited access to Jesus, even when He took breaks from the rest of the crowd.

However, Jesus ministered to all the people around Him, including those who wished Him dead. He fed them, shared the gospel with them, and answered their tricky questions.

As followers of Jesus, we must use His approach as our example.

Whenever God prompts us to share His love with someone, we must answer that call with obedience.

And if we don’t? God will simply use someone else and we’ll miss out on the opportunity.

But God is persistent. He will call us again and again. We just have to listen and obey.

Though we’ve all missed opportunities to share His love in the past, it’s not too late to start listening today. Ask God who He wants you to reach out to and how He wants you to bless them.

You are a beacon of His love. ❤

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35 (NIV)