When I became Christian in the mid 90s there was a band called DC Talk who had a song Luv is a verb. I remember being struck by the challenge that what was presented to me as “love” on tv and radio was not what the bible meant by love at all. I’ve always found the juxtaposition of cultures’ emphasis on emotion and the bible’s emphasis on decision intriguing.
Jesus quoting the Old Testament says “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” That is the whole of ourselves. Following Jesus is a whole person decision that impacts every area of lives and relationships.
At Breakfast Church two weeks ago we were thinking about Esther. Stephen spoke about courage not being an absence of fear, but action in the face of fear. Our faith is a decision the psalmists speak consistently of, instructing their soul to praise God often in the face of questions and hardship. Faith is a choice. Throughout the bible people are offered choices and called to point of decision. To trust God, to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit, to choose to partner with the creator God, to be our true full selves. To choose not to be seduced by the standards of the world which measure value and worth primarily in presentation and economic terms.
One of the greatest lessons my dad taught me was to make the decision before I had to put it into practice, to know what I valued before I was faced with the choice. Not making impulse purchases I couldn’t afford, Say no to one more beer, or responding with kindness to a grumpy stranger, for example.
Do you find it easier to be courageous because you have already decided what is important?
How do the things that you believe about God impact the choice you make regarding other people?
Does knowing Jesus impact your response to injustice?
Are you open to changing your habits if prompted by Holy Spirit?
Is love a verb in your life, a doing word, which impacts your heart, soul, mind and strength?
Joanne Meharg
PPC & Lay ministry team member