Love- Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Over the years, Pastor Jim has often railed against the notion of a day for “Acts of Random Kindness.”  One day?!?  “Random Kindness” (or Love) should be at the core of a disciple’s day to day living.  Active Love isn’t just a pie in the sky theory that we try out once in a while, but it’s continual contact with other people as we travel down life’s road. 

Love: where the rubber meets the road.

But how do we do that?

Know, then Show…

Paul asked the people of Philippi a rhetorical question (in Philippians 2:1):

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? ”

If you “know Christ”, the answer is obviously “yes”.  Or, if you’ve experienced the wonder of a Springtime morning, or the beauty of a snowy afternoon, the answer is “yes.”  Or if someone has come out of the woodwork to help you, encourage you, or even just to flash a knowing smile at you, the answer is “yes.”  All of us have the opportunity to know the encouragement and comfort that springs from Christ’s love.

When we  “know Christ” and see love that He sends,  Paul’s famous plea begins to make sense to us (Philippians 2:12-13):

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. ”

Show, then Grow…

But how do we “work out” this salvation?  How do we “act according to God’s good purpose?”

In the March 29 article of the 2019 Lenten Devotional booklet (published by local churches), Diane Sizemore asked a series of “Have you ever__?” questions that give us an inspiring set of practical  suggestions that can lead us to Continual Acts of Kindness.  Click through each of these suggestions and consider how you can put them into “down where the rubber meets the road” practice:

Have you ever___? …

Random Acts?

Throughout any day, we “bump into” people.  Our tendency might be to consider each of these interactions as “transactional.” 

• The barber cuts your hair because you’re paying her to do it. 
• The Wawa (deli) associate makes your lunch because it’s his job.
• The waitress refills your drink because she wants a tip.

But when we are continuously “encouraged by belonging to Christ,” these circumstances go way beyond “transactions.”  Any personal interaction is a God planted opportunity.  They are chances to “work out our salvation” by showing love. 

Interactions with people don’t occur randomly.  So why should our “acts of kindness” be “random”???  Make your love constant.  Take advantage of God’s opportunities to take your love down to “where the rubber meets the road.”

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