We are at the half-way mark of 2020 and what a year it's been so far. I had no idea that when I declared that 2020 is a Year of Spiritual Intimacy that we would soon be facing fear on a level we've never seen in our generation.
COVID19 was the first wave of fear; the fear of sickness and death.
The second wave is now fear of one another. This is displayed in racial tensions mixed with riots, threats, and cities on fire. This isn't just limited to America, but the whole world is reeling right now, completely off balance from who we are designed to be.
So what can we do?
How can we help restore the balance?
The solution is simple.
The solution to fear is LOVE and we have to participate with the solution in order to restore the balance.
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40 NKJV
We are designed to love.
To love God.
To love people.
Period.
Unfortunately this love doesn't come naturally because of the sin in our hearts, so we must intentionally grow in love in order to diminish the sinful nature.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NKJV
Personal growth is a choice and it's a choice we must make daily in order to grow in love for God and one another.
In my blog 2020 A Year of Spiritual Intimacy, I talk about communion and how God longs for us to connect with him. I believe this isn't because God is sitting in Heaven lonely like a child waiting for someone to hang out with him. He wants us to connect with him so he can help us GROW.
The world needs you and I right now.
The world needs us to keep growing in love with God and one another.
Dear friends, let us love one another,for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 NIV