Where Do I go From Here? Loving One Another
Robin Davenport, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.1
Peter 4:7-9 ESV
Coming to the end of temporary things can bring our most important priorities into focus. Peter chose to shine a spotlight on the priorities that would enable his readers to live with eternal purpose as they traveled toward the end of all temporary things. Among these priorities are self-control and thinking clearly for the sake of our prayers. Prayer brings us into the presence of God. In His presence, we are strengthened and comforted. Sin interferes with our prayers and limits our access to God’s presence.
Peter focuses the spotlight on one priority above all others. Above all, keep loving one another deeply. This love for one another is a constant and intense love. Peter explains that this kind of love for one another covers a multitude of sins. In 1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV, Paul writes “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Deep love for one another is the antidote to focusing on one another’s sins. Love sets us free to be generous to all without resentment.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
The last few days of our son’s life were very traumatic as we watched him suffer through the dying process. I begged God to relieve his pain. God comforted me with the truth that his pain was temporary. The end was near and what we all needed as a family was comfort from our Heavenly Father and from one another.
The earlier effects of FTD during our son’s pre-diagnosis period had resulted in the breakdown of his marriage. These symptoms included an emerging lack of self-control, loss of executive functioning, and apathy. In addition to the losses caused by FTD, divorce brought another layer of emotional trauma and division to our family.
During the last hours of our son’s life, God brought our family together around his bedside. We needed one another. Forgiving and loving one another ushered us into the presence of God. We prayed together, reminisced, and sang praises to our Lord. We comforted one another as God comforted us all as one in Him.
A few weeks following our son’s funeral, we attended my husband’s cousin’s funeral. The minister shared a perspective that captures the need for priorities in relationships. Regarding his relationship with my husband’s cousin, he said “We had no loose ends.” What a way to live in relationship with others. Peter wanted his readers to live with “no loose ends.”
Loose ends can haunt us and hinder our prayers. Looking through the lens of the end of the temporary brings what is most important into focus. Above all, keep loving one another deeply, since love covers a multitude of sins.
PRAYER
Father, you created us to be in a relationship with one another. You have instructed us to love one another as ourselves. Help us to be sober-minded in setting the priority to keep loving one another deeply. It is in this love for one another that we encounter Your strength and comfort. It is in this love for one another that we glorify You. The world will know we belong to You because we love one another. In Jesus' name, amen.
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.