What if the very thing you’ve been searching for has been within you all along? What if God isn’t asking you to find it—but to awaken it?
I once heard a quote: "If everything around you seems dark, look again. You may be the light." Life changes—hour by hour, moment by moment—but one thing remains constant: God. So, here’s the question: How deep is your love? Not just in words, but in action. When people encounter you, do they walk away better, encouraged, or unchanged?
I remember when my daughter was in sixth grade, and she asked me if she could get a dog. Now, as a parent, I knew that dogs require a lot of attention, time, and care. But instead of saying “no,” I offered a challenge. “If you can stay on the honor roll from sixth to eighth grade, I’ll get you a dog."
She looked at me, smiled, and without missing a beat, said, “OK, deal!" Then, with the brightest smile, she reached out her pinky and said, “Pinky promise?”
I wrapped my pinky around hers, sealing the promise.
The next three years passed, and at the end of her eighth-grade year, I picked her up from school, just like I always did. But this time, there was something different about her smile. It was wider, more knowing. As she got into the truck, she asked me, “Dad, you’re a man of your word, right?"
I paused, wondering what she was up to. After she buckled up, she handed me an envelope. Her smile kept growing. I opened the envelope, and there it was: the confirmation that she had maintained the honor roll for all three years. She worked for it, stayed disciplined, and patiently waited. Now, it was my turn to keep my promise. Two months later, we brought home a mini Australian Shepherd.
Why do I share this story? Because love, like faith, is about more than just words. It requires action. James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith without works is dead." Similarly, love without action is empty. Words are powerful, but what are they worth if they’re not followed by deeds?
Niccolò Machiavelli once said, “Everyone sees what you appear to be; few experience what you really are.” People often judge based on what they see. But true love is shown through what we do, not just what we say.
Take my daughter’s dog, for example. The dog can’t speak, but her actions speak volumes. Every time she sees my daughter, her joy is undeniable—her wagging tail, the happy barks, the way she leaps to greet her. God created animals this way, perhaps to teach us that love isn’t just spoken; it’s demonstrated.
So, I ask you: What does your love look like?
God set the ultimate example: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) If that’s not love in action, I don’t know what is. And in 1 Corinthians 13, we learn more about what love is: it’s patient, kind, humble, and forgiving. When I read these verses, I ask myself: Am I walking in this kind of love?
I know love isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it’s hard to love others—or even ourselves. We may carry past hurts that make forgiveness feel impossible. But Jesus didn’t just suggest we love one another; He commanded it. “Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34)
The Bible also tells us that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). That perfect love is only found in God, and as we remain in Him, we are empowered to love—not just with words, but through our actions.
I’ll be the first to admit, my love walk isn’t perfect. I’m not always patient. I don’t always put others first. But love, like faith, is a journey. It doesn’t happen overnight, just like you don’t plant a seed today and expect to eat its fruit tomorrow. It takes time, effort, and a heart that’s willing to grow.
But God knows our struggles. And He gives us opportunities every day to practice love in action. The next time you’re frustrated in traffic, extend patience. The next time someone wrongs you, choose grace. The next time you see someone hurting, offer kindness.
Love is the antidote. “Love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) If love has the power to cover sin, just imagine what it can heal in our daily lives.
And if you ever doubt how much you’re loved, remember Romans 8:38-39—nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of Christ.
God doesn’t hold our past against us, so why do we hold onto the offenses of others? Even while hanging on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them." If He can love like that, so can we.
So, let’s make the first move. Love deeply. Forgive freely. Extend grace daily. None of us are perfect, but all of us need love.
Pray With Me:
Lord, thank You for loving me, even when I fall short. Teach me to love as You love—patient, kind, and forgiving. Help me to put my faith into action, to love not just with words but through my deeds. I surrender my heart to You and ask that You use me to be a light in someone’s darkness. Thank You for never letting anything separate me from Your love.
