Love In Action
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series IV, Cycle B
Object:
Love In Action
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us -- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. (vv. 16-18)
Shortly after World War II ended, Europe began rebuilding from the shellacking associated with combat. Buildings had been reduced to little more than piles of rubble. Even more devastating was the related destruction that occurred in families. In many of the war-torn cities, children had become orphans. Many were starving in the streets.
Early one cold, foggy morning, an American soldier was returning to his barracks in London. As he rounded a corner in his jeep, he saw a little boy standing in front of a pastry store window. His nose was pressed against the glass as he watched the baker kneading the dough for a fresh batch of donuts. The boy's hunger was obviously overwhelming.
The soldier immediately pulled the jeep over the curb, stopped, and got out. He walked quietly over to the little boy and stood behind him. They both watched as the baker pulled out a fresh batch of donuts from the oven and meticulously placed the piping hot pastries onto the glass-enclosed counter. The boy drooled like a dog on a bone as he unconsciously groaned.
The soldier's heart sank at the plight of the young boy. He asked the orphan, "Son, would you like some of those?"
His voice startled the boy when he realized he wasn't alone. He looked at the soldier and replied, "Oh, you bet I would!"
Without a word, the soldier stepped inside the bakery and purchased one dozen donuts. He returned to the boy with a bag in hand. The heat of the donuts combined with the chilly air created a steam that emitted from the bag. The American held out the bag and simply said, "Here you are."
As the soldier walked away, he felt a tug on his uniform. He looked back as the child asked, "Mister ... are you God?"
To be confused with God requires us to love as God loves. That means loving beyond words -- we love in action. God showed us he loved through Christ's offering of his life. Our love action probably won't be as dramatic or costly. However, we, too, offer ourselves as a sign of love. We share from the blessings God has given us with those who are in need. We share of our time and of our compassion. That is love in action.
(Charles Swindoll, Improving Your Serve [Nashville: W Publishing Group, 1981], pp. 52-53.)
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us -- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. (vv. 16-18)
Shortly after World War II ended, Europe began rebuilding from the shellacking associated with combat. Buildings had been reduced to little more than piles of rubble. Even more devastating was the related destruction that occurred in families. In many of the war-torn cities, children had become orphans. Many were starving in the streets.
Early one cold, foggy morning, an American soldier was returning to his barracks in London. As he rounded a corner in his jeep, he saw a little boy standing in front of a pastry store window. His nose was pressed against the glass as he watched the baker kneading the dough for a fresh batch of donuts. The boy's hunger was obviously overwhelming.
The soldier immediately pulled the jeep over the curb, stopped, and got out. He walked quietly over to the little boy and stood behind him. They both watched as the baker pulled out a fresh batch of donuts from the oven and meticulously placed the piping hot pastries onto the glass-enclosed counter. The boy drooled like a dog on a bone as he unconsciously groaned.
The soldier's heart sank at the plight of the young boy. He asked the orphan, "Son, would you like some of those?"
His voice startled the boy when he realized he wasn't alone. He looked at the soldier and replied, "Oh, you bet I would!"
Without a word, the soldier stepped inside the bakery and purchased one dozen donuts. He returned to the boy with a bag in hand. The heat of the donuts combined with the chilly air created a steam that emitted from the bag. The American held out the bag and simply said, "Here you are."
As the soldier walked away, he felt a tug on his uniform. He looked back as the child asked, "Mister ... are you God?"
To be confused with God requires us to love as God loves. That means loving beyond words -- we love in action. God showed us he loved through Christ's offering of his life. Our love action probably won't be as dramatic or costly. However, we, too, offer ourselves as a sign of love. We share from the blessings God has given us with those who are in need. We share of our time and of our compassion. That is love in action.
(Charles Swindoll, Improving Your Serve [Nashville: W Publishing Group, 1981], pp. 52-53.)
