Running on Love

Bible Reading: John 15:9-17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Janet stared out the car window, her forehead pressing against the glass. Dad looked over at her. “Anything happen at school today?” he asked gently.

“No,” mumbled Janet. “Everything’s fine.” But it wasn’t fine. Janet’s best friend, Sarah, had been ignoring her all week. It bothered Janet so much that she had started ignoring Sarah too, and when Sarah tried to ask what was wrong, Janet rudely told her to go away.

Dad rubbed his forehead. “We’re going to stop by the gas station before we go home, okay? Also, don’t forget to clean your room. Sarah’s mom has a doctor’s appointment early tomorrow morning, so Sarah is spending the night at our house.”

“What? No!” exclaimed Janet.

Dad looked surprised. “Why not?”

Janet sighed. “I just don’t want her to.”

Dad got out of the car. “Come over here for a second, Janet.” Janet reluctantly got out and walked to where Dad was holding a water bottle next to the gas cap.

At Janet’s questioning look, Dad said, “I’m thinking about refilling the car with water instead of gas. Since they’re both liquids, it should work, right?”

“Of course not, Dad!” said Janet. “It may run for a little bit, but not for long. It might even ruin the gas tank.”

Dad smiled and put away the water bottle. “And just like this car, we all need something to keep us running throughout the day.”

Janet raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“If we fill ourselves with anger and bitterness, we’ll soon break down and feel tired and defeated,” Dad replied. “However, if we fill ourselves with love, specifically Jesus’ love, we can go much, much further, like filling our car with gas. But unlike gas in a car, which will eventually run out, Jesus’ love will never run out on us. Because He loves us and has given us His Holy Spirit to help us, we can respond to others in love, even when they make us angry.”

Janet sighed. “I guess I need to apologize to Sarah and explain how she made me feel. I don’t want to lose her as a friend.” She smiled at her dad. “And I’ll ask Jesus to help me communicate my feelings better next time.” Gabriella Hsu

How About You?

What feelings do you run on? Love and joy? Or anger and bitterness? It’s okay to feel angry when someone hurts you, but don’t use that anger to hurt them back. Remember that Jesus loves you and has made you a new person, and trust Him to fill you up with His never-ending love. Because His Spirit lives in you, you can love others even when they hurt you.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Corinthians 13:5 [Love] is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Run on Jesus’ everlasting love