God filling
Sunday, November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all … so as to strengthen your hearts.
I think I’m able to love out of my strength and my abundance, until I get by myself and hear the subtle murmuring of my body and my soul. Why me, Lord?
I smile and speak softly or joyfully to strangers … not so much to Margaret. What’s wrong with me?
It’s not me, maybe. It’s the way I get filled. I sleep and breathe and eat and drink plenty of water. I walk and exercise (a little). I get myself to church and into books that edify my mind. I pray. For God’s sake, isn’t that enough?
Seems like it should be. Then Paul clarifies things for me and the Thessalonians: it’s the Lord who makes me abound in love.
Oh. Yeah. My heart is built on nothing less. Jesus brings this word to us again this year. My love is not about me. It’s the work of God.
Strengthen strengthen strengthen my heart, O Lord. Because You make me safe, because I dwell in you, because I know You are my justice, I will wait for you all the day. Your coming is nigh. The fullness of time is near. Here we are, Lord. Send Jesus.
 http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1395
