There are many things that money can’t buy. It’s been said it can’t buy you happiness which is true. Money also can’t buy loving, honest, supportive, “I’m there for you in the middle of your pain” friendships. It’s impossible to put any monetary value on life-long, supportive, loyal friendships.
In John 15:12-15 it says:
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s self for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves; because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father has told me.
As followers of Christ our truest and most intimate friend is Jesus. Through Christ’s death on the cross we know that He loves us sacrificially. We are adopted into His family when we chose to accept Him, and as we walk in relationship with Him we have access to Him 24/7. He will never fail or abandon us! However, we are also commanded by Jesus to love each other in the same manner in which He loves us! Nowhere does He suggest any barriers or excuses to loving each other. Jesus was known for going into situations that would be frowned upon today as it was 2,000 years ago and showing His love and mercy.
So as followers of Jesus, no matter what divides us, whether that is a political stance, denomination, nationality, race, ethnicity or simply just not agreeing with each other, He has commanded us to love each other.
Wouldn’t Ireland (and the whole world for that matter) be such a better place if Christians chose to simply love each other? If we could overcome our differences and choose to love?
In Exodus 33:11 it says that “the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” The access that we have to God is that close and even closer! He isn’t disconnected with you, He hears you as you pray and even hears the hidden cries of your heart. As we spend time with Him today in His word and in prayer, let’s speak to Him as a friend who is right there with us. Be open and honest with Him about your individual needs and let’s believe that He can move in a mighty way throughout this land of Ireland.
What a friend we have in You, Jesus. Father, help me to love like You do; to love generously, sacrificially and deeply. Help me to show Your love to those I come in contact with today. Father I pray that You would use me to be Your light in my community, that others would see You in me. Father, I ask that believers would rise up together in love throughout the land of Ireland blessing their local communities. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.