Called to Love

     Sitting in church, listening to the words spoken over the pulpit, I get an unearthly feeling. Knowing that God speaks through the speaker, and letting the words speak to my heart, I feel reproved. I feel invigorated to live these words. I feel called to love.
     It's amazing to me how even though the speaker has a totally different angle and a different inspiration, we capture our individual message from God. I like to sit and dismiss the humanness of the speaker and imagine God whispering words into his mind. The sanctuary becomes a holy place and I commit myself to listen for my message.
     Yesterday as I sat listening I started thinking of the importance of love. It seems to me that love resolves so many issues we have. Jealousy disappears, inferiority is forgotten, and I stop assuming people dislike me. I start trusting people and I open my heart to relationships with others. My world gets bigger as I let people into my heart.
     Selfishness is such a devious thief. Before we realize it, our world is small with ourself the only occupant. I need big yellow tape with bold black lettering reminding me of the blessings of loving. I know how wonderfully blessed I feel when I forget about myself and let love in, but sadly myself is so big I can't see around me all the time.
     When my name came up to go to the girls unit in Halifax, I read some verses that reinforced my conviction to go.
   
John 15:9-14

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.