Day 8 - Love That Reaches the World

by Linda Evwierhoma
Leicester, England

Scripture Reading:

• John 3:16
• 1 John 5:9-10
• Romans 8:32-39
• Acts 2:37-39
• Acts 3:19
• Mark 1:16-20
• John 13:34
• John 1:14
• Mark 14:1-9

As I write this devotional. I am approaching 26 years as a daughter of the living God! To God be the glory! When I was given the title for my devotional, Love that reaches the world, I smiled. This was the Lord, I thought to myself.

Dear sister, bear with me as I briefly share. When I completed my A Levels as a 17 year old, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to America for three months. I worked at a summer camp for young children from deprived backgrounds, on their two weeks of relief from the challenges of their everyday lives in the projects of New York City. That experience was the beginning of God awakening my purpose.

Making a Difference

I returned home to London and started university. I had a thirst to make a difference in what I felt was a world in need of something different. At the time I did not know it was Christ. I read books. I was passionate about social justice. I had always been interested in world affairs. I would (and still do) watch the news and feel the problems of this world deeply, as though each issue were my own. I wanted change. I made plans to become a lawyer; specifically, a human rights lawyer. I thought maybe then I could make a difference in this world.

At the ripe age of 20, I started studying the Bible. The events leading to this point show how God orchestrated and moved people to bring me to Him. I still recall the discipleship study, my favourite study. You may be thinking, “Should it not be the cross study that is your favourite?” Yes dear sister, through the cross we see God show the full extent of His love. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

 

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. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:9-10

However, discipleship as I have come to understand it, is at the heart of God's desire and plan of salvation – His way to reach the world. As the sisters who studied the Bible with me explained Mark 1:16-20, where Jesus calls His first disciples to follow Him and ‘make fishers of men,' the penny was slowly dropping. My heart was stirred. My purpose was unfolding. That yearning to make a difference in this world was becoming a reality, but I did not yet realise to what extent. Then, as John 13:34 was taught, it became clear. I still get convicted when I teach young women this verse today...we can love like Jesus loved! Jesus even commanded it!

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34

Loving like Jesus is the difference. Loving like Jesus is how to make a change. Loving like Jesus is how love reaches the world – loving like Jesus, not like myself, not like what I see around me, but like Jesus. His love is different. His love sees us intimately.

Seeing Those Around Us

As women, we yearn to be seen. Jesus saw the woman at the well, full of the burdens of her sin and disappointments of life. Although tired and hungry, He took time to sit and converse with her. Their conversation was a tough one, but she needed to hear what He had to say. He is, after all, full of grace and truth (John 1.14). 

Jesus saw the faithful sacrifice of the woman who anointed Him in Mark 14:1-9. Severe criticism from the onlookers did not deter her. She boldly ignored their disrespect and “did what she could” (verse 8). Jesus even noted that she did “a beautiful thing” (verse 6).

Jesus saw the bleeding woman (a woman whose challenges I have personally come to relate to). She faced 12 years of period drama…imagine that! (And I’m not talking about the Downton Abbey type of drama.) He brought her relief from her sufferings.

Jesus saw the desperation of the Syrophoenician woman. Her daughter was possessed by an impure spirit. Those of you who are mothers can surely relate to this woman's plight. Some of you may have daughters struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, or other challenges. Jesus saw her pain and healed her daughter. 

I could continue to share about many more occasions when Jesus saw where people were and what they were going through, and then made a difference in their lives. The gospel is ultimately about God seeing our sinful state and sending His incarnate Son to dwell with us. This is love that reaches the world – a love that sees and then acts.

In my mid 30s, single, childless and still having that desire to make a difference, I felt called to move to a smaller church to serve. Quitting my well-paid teaching job, in a very good school in London, where I was in fact becoming quite comfortable, I moved to Leicester in the East Midlands of the UK. I have now been part of the church here for 10 years. I have been able to reach out on the university campuses, study the Bible with students, disciple, mentor, open my home and cook, pray for and with, organise events, and much more in the hope of helping the women of Leicester know that Christ sees them and loves them deeply.

I have had the privilege of witnessing the radical change in those who have responded to Christ's love and call to follow Him. Some have themselves moved to other cities in the UK to pass on that same love and in that way reach the world. 

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do you still remember your journey to becoming a disciple of Jesus? What were your deepest yearnings for your life? Have you achieved them or given up on your dreams? 

2. What are the things (circumstance/situations) God is drawing your attention to? Are you seeing them as opportunities to love those around you? 

Today I Will:

• “See” and “act.” Intentionally notice someone today. It could be a stranger, a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a coworker, or whomever. Praying for God’s guidance and wisdom, decide to do one thing to make a difference in that person’s life today. Perhaps you can send them an encouraging text or card, help with an errand, teach them about Jesus, or maybe simply give them a friendly smile…whatever you see is their need.

About the Author

Linda Evwierhoma was baptised in the London church in 2000. She is now a mature single sister in the Leicester Church of Christ. Linda has been a secondary school teacher for 18 years. She serves as a worship leader and also mentors some of the youth. She loves to hike, ride her bike and go to the gym.