When I go to the store I specifically choose one of the three self checkouts sections. And there’s a reason for that. At the farthest self checkout a specific woman works and she is the reason I choose to walk the extra distance. I’m sure other people also recognize her kindness, joy, and care for those she interacts with. She doesn’t know these people but she is able to show them love simply by showing kindness to strangers. I don’t know if she is a Christian but if she is, she is doing it right.
Related: Proverbs 31 Acrostic
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him… Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:7-9, 11-12
Because of these verses I believe this woman in the grocery store does know God. She exudes love and I go out of my way to have a 10 second interaction with her. That is how we all need to be. We need to be so full of God’s love that others want to be around us, they recognize that something is different about us and they want to know what.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:34-40
Jesus speaks these words to explain who will enter the kingdom of heaven. With these words, Jesus tells us to do things for “the least of these” because when we do it is like we are doing these things to him. By caring for God’s creation, humans, we are showing God that we love him.
I recently had the opportunity to deliver gift packs to young mothers in my community. I didn’t know these girls, but they appreciated the supplies brought to them. While I did have to take time out of my day, the joy it brought to others was worth it. I hope others feel the same joy when giving to others.
“Whatever you do whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.”
Colossians 3:17
So God commands us to go out and do everything for his glory. Live your life in celebration of the great gift that God has given us.
