Lifted by Learning to Live in Love

Thou art giving and forgiving Ever blessing ever blest
Wellspring of the joy of living Ocean depth of happy rest
Thou our Father Christ our Brother All who live in love are Thine
Teach us how to love each other Lift us to the joy divine

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
By: Henry Van Dyke (1907), 

Listen to this modern version of this joyful hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this hymn ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the joy of adoration. Then open your heart and your lips and give Him praise. Let’s think about this.

Trajectory

What is the trajectory of your life?

I have a friend who is going through a rough transition. From outward appearances it might look like things have taken a turn for the worse. Her actions have created some uncertainty, but I am confident she will be better when she comes through these days.

How can I be so confident? There are many people in her life who love her. They are helping her find her way. She knows that and is grateful for what some might call tough love shown by not making her path easy, but doing so because of love and a desire to she her successful. 

Not everyone in her life can see the trajectory she is on, but I believe I can. By God’s grace, I am even a small part of helping point that out and encourage her along the way. Have you ever been on either end of love working out like that?

Living in Love

What does that mean? To live in love. Does it mean you always try to make things easy for people? Does it mean showing the kind of grace you would want to receive? But maybe also to hear some gentle, hard truth when necessary.

Jesus spoke some things that were hard for his listeners to hear. But He said them because He loved them. Living in love is not always easy. But it is always worth it.

Thou our Father Christ our Brother All who live in love are Thine

In love He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:4b-5 ESV

The last two words of verse four begin the translation of this complete sentence and thought. We are adopted by the Father because of what Christ has done. He does so in love and invites us to live that way. This is His will for us, to live in love. Nothing brings greater joy.

God has both invited us into his love and commanded us to love. We receive love and must also give love. That makes us a conduit for love to flow which can lead us to think love flows through us. More accurately, we live in love. As we live in God, love is flowing all around us.

RESONATE! Take a few moments to think about what living in love might look like for you today. Might it be difficult? Possibly. Then pray this simple prayer, “Jesus, help me to live in love.“

Lifted Through Learning

What are the circumstances of your life teaching you about living in love? Loving others can be hard. If you are struggling to love someone, why not start to pray for them. As you lift them to God, something will likely start to change in you. Something evidenced in how you think about them and reflected in your countenance toward them.

What are you learning about loving others? I learned that someone close to me has been speaking ill of me. My immediate reaction was sadness mixed with anger. Then I started to pray. I prayed first for myself because I am confident this person is in my life so that I can show them God’s love. I then prayed for them, for opportunities for me to show love even in my frustration.

How will you respond in similar situations? I do not have all the answers for my current situations, but I know I want to lift this person up, and can only do so with God’s help. Even then, only if I am a little further up the hill than they are can I lend them a hand.

Teach us how to love each other Lift us to the joy divine

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 ESV

Living in His love, learning how to love one another, gives us a taste of heaven and lifts us to the joy divine. Certainly there are many who love well and have joy who do not know God, but the kind of love and joy we are speaking of can only be found in God.

We need to learn to live in love. This world can be a very difficult place. Loving others can be extremely challenging sometimes. If we know God, we will love others. The knowing is the beginning for us. Fortunately, for us, He loved us from the beginning.

Lord, help me to know You.

RESONATE! Take a few moments to consider who God might have put in your life to help you learn to love better. Sorry. I know that might be the last person yo want to love today, but they are there for a reason. Make this your prayer today, “Lord, help me to know You.“

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Image Attributions
Thou our Father Christ our Brother All who live in love are Thine –https://pixabay.com/photos/people-love-neighbor-kindness-7688964/
Teach us how to love each other Lift us to the joy divine –https://pixabay.com/illustrations/helping-each-other-teamwork-winning-2643652/