Listen

“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.”

John 15:9-11

Think

“Remain in my love,” says Jesus – or as it’s often translated – “Abide in my love.” Abide isn’t a word we use very frequently. It is related to another uncommon word: abode, which means home, the place where one lives.

Jesus isn’t saying “think about my love” or “be happy because of my love.” He is saying “live in my love because it is your home.”

What is it like to live every day in the abode that is Jesus’s love?

Within the warmth of that home, we know we are cherished, accepted for who we are. We are challenged and supported to grow into the people Jesus wants us to be. We are surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ, who, like us, are also cherished and supported.

Best of all, we never have to leave that home! It goes with us wherever we are, surrounding us and strengthening us and bringing us joy each day.

Jane Claspy Nesmith

Pray

Loving Lord, my warm abode, let me always remember that your love is my home, a home that always surrounds me. Help me to share that love with others so that they may also have a dwelling place of warmth and acceptance. Amen.

Go

Wrapped in the peace of God

and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit,

take the love of Jesus with you

wherever you go today

and everyday.