“As the Father has loved me, so have I Ioved you. Abide in my love” says Jesus (John 15:9).
Why would anyone want to abide in Jesus’ love?
Right now, it seems like what we need to do is stay home, be fed information through our media outlets and make sure to wear our masks if we must go out. Although we certainly should take care of our bodies as best as we can, none of the measures above will care for our minds, hearts and souls that also very much require it.
Believers abide in Jesus’ love because only through this attachment, do we get access to his peace and an understanding of God’s view of life, which is what our souls long for. The view where we are renewed daily by the grace that has been given through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The challenges we face every passing day are our biggest clue that life is more than our careers, friends, or even families. Jesus gives love that is unlike any other because it comes from the creator of the universe (John 15:9). It is boundless and encompasses every possible happy moment or tragedy this world can throw at us. Humans, alike other creatures, need love to thrive. Some of us have experienced love through our families and some of us have not. God offers us a greater love that will never let us down. This is new to us; we don’t understand it. The good thing is we don’t have to. We can know God without knowing every secret of the world (Isa. 55:8, Job 38).
If you have accepted Jesus in your heart as your Lord and savior, I encourage you to abide in Jesus’ love fervently. From one brother in Christ to another- let us lean on Jesus as our source for truth and joy no matter the times, while understanding that this requires our commitment and is not a magical formula to help suppress our struggles and fears (John 15:1-8). Let us press on because we are saved and loved with a love greater than we can imagine.
-Eva Topete (Youth Ministry Leader)