"Love"

They all say to live for love,

But they don’t say what kind,

Love can mean so many things,

It’s often ill-defined.

I can say with all my heart,

I love my truck and horse,

But not the same as love for kids,

Or my wife, of course.

Some say they love the cowboy way

I understand that well,

And loving this old USA,

I get that, truth to tell.

But bottom line the greatest love,

Is what our Savior showed,

When He died upon the cross,

And love’s great seed He sowed.

Raised up alive to give us love,

And offers one and all,

The chance to get all that we need,

And answer love’s great call.

And when the Book says walk in love,

That’s what it’s talking ‘bout,

The kind that sacrifices self,

Of that there is no doubt.

If we pass along the love,

The Good Lord gave to us,

Our lives will grow strong and true,

And build some peace, no fuss.

They’ll see we follow Jesus,

By all the love we show,

For all and one another,

It’s the only way they know

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, NAS)

What is the sign of authentic discipleship? There are many things Jesus could have said. For example, Jesus taught them to pray and to exercise mountain-moving faith. But that was not the sign He chose. They cast out devils, healed the sick, and reached out to the poor, but these were not mentioned. It was the love they gave to one another. That’s it and that’s all. There is no other sign needed because this one would have been too obvious to deny. And ultimately, it’s what the world needs most. Love each other the way I have loved you, Jesus said. When we get that right everything else falls into place.

Lord, teach us to love, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Andy Mast, used by permission. Thanks, Andy, and God bless you.