Listen

This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:5

Think

When you walk down to a creek or river and look around, you are sure to find smooth rocks. Once jagged, the rocks slowly but surely become smooth under the steady flow of water, the edges softened. Rocks, of course, can’t object and walk away. No, they stay put, allowing the water to pour across them, refining them.

Paul says that the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. I imagine that if you could use a measuring cup, God’s love would quickly fill up your measuring cup and it would all start to flow over the edges, down your arm, and onto the floor and over your feet. I imagine it’s a steady flow, like a creek or river. If we stayed put, I wonder if our edges would slowly soften, and if our lives would be refined. That’s not to say that we will no longer experience suffering — no, we are not guaranteed ease. But we are assured that God’s love will continue to flow into our suffering, and that in itself is cause for hope.

Erin Spengeman Hutchison

Pray

God, help me to notice today that you are pouring your love into my heart. Help me to stay put and allow your love to run over the edge and drip onto the floor. May I even dare to splash my feet in it and track it into the places I go today. Amen.

Go

There will be winds that blow against you, like storms against a lighthouse.

But go, knowing that the very Spirit of God is within you, stirring you to be brave, love always, and stand firm in God’s grace.