Pause

The simple idea that God is there to guide us, that simple idea alone gives us comfort. We are not alone. We are not without direction.

God's guidance comes often when we are still and waiting. Listen for where love will take you today.

Listen

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

1 John 3:23-24

Think

The command to believe in Jesus, love one another, and obey his commandments seems very simple. We can believe in Jesus or not. We can love people or not. We can obey commandments or not. But it’s not that simple. We live in a world where we’re not always sure what the commandment is. We see bad things happen to good people and we wonder where God is in all of it. We also see people who do evil things and we don’t want to love them.

We will not always be perfect examples of God’s love. And that is OK. However, we should keep trying and striving to do our best. Love’s Shepherd – Jesus – is always with us. He doesn’t leave us to deal with the hard stuff alone. We are told that the Spirit he has given us will help us know Jesus abides with us. So when we struggle to love people like we are called to do, and when we struggle to follow God’s commands, we can ask for help and guidance and know we are not alone.

Susan Reed

Pray

Ever-present God, in the times when I am unsure of what to do and how to live, help me remember you are with me. May I be bold to seek out your guidance and share your shepherding love with others. Amen.

Go

Though you may feel that you have no way to go,
Love is there to lead you.
When the world seems dark and scary,
God is there to give you light.
In the midst of every trouble, every care,
Christ's arms surround and hold you.