What's love got to do with it?

I'll admit, I wrote that title totally singing the Tina Turner song of the same title. But seriously though, what's love got to do with life? And when I say love, I'm not talking, walk to the alter, let's make a family, the distorted view of love that is so often portrayed on television these days. What I'm talking about is agape love. The kind of love God showed when he sent his son Jesus to take the brunt of our sins. The kind of love that is so evident in the eyes of a child - hence the Bible verse "let the little children come to me" Matthew 19:14. The kind of love that is shown when a community rallies around one of its own, in a time of need.

I was shown such love today. It's funny, because I didn't suspect a thing. I was caught so totally off guard. I was, and still am, numb just thinking of how this group of people so willingly, and this is not the first time, surrounds me (sometimes figuratively, and other times literally) to show me their love for me and my kids. But in addition to being numb, I am asking why.

Why, after so many years, after so many showings of love, would these people do it again? The worldly question is: what did I do to deserve this showing of love? To answer this we need to go back to the original showing of love - Jesus. What did we do to deserve THAT kind of love? Nothing. Why did God send Jesus? Because He loved (and continues to love) us.

The next question we might have when shown this love is: what do I do now? Assuming you've already said thank you... pass this love on. You don't have to go looking for it, but rather, have your heart and eyes open to the opportunities that you will undoubtedly find crossing your path.

You have so much potential to love others. Whether you have a lot of money or you don't. Whether you have a lot of time or you don't. You have all you need, all God has equipped you with for the explicit task of sharing love. A smile, a kind word, a new perspective, a loving hug, there are so many ways to show it.

So, what's love got to do it (life)? Everything. Love should be at the root of every word you speak, at the basis of every action you perform, at the beginning of every thought you have.

Sharing this most special love will not only bless those you share it with, but it will transform you - your heart and your mind - you will find you are blessed beyond your capability to anticipate...

Share the love. Be blessed.