You probably awakened this morning with a long “to do” list, most likely based on what you would like to get done besides your job. But how many of us have a “to do” list of things that we plan to do for God that day? When I ask this question, I am speaking to myself as much as to you, my readers. If what we have to accomplish is so important to us, how much more important is it to accomplish what God would have us do each day? After all, he created us and wants us to do His work here on earth. As one pastor told me long ago, “Occupy until He returns.” Have you ever been part of an occupying force? My mental image is not of a bunch of troops just sitting around drinking coffee and playing cards all day. Instead, I see the troops interacting with the people, helping them to build up their infrastructure, and increasing their stability. So, if we are part of an occupying force here on earth, waiting until Jesus returns, is that not what we should be doing? We should be out among the people, meeting needs when and where we can. We should be helping them to build their knowledge of Christ because that is the “infrastructure” that really matters, the foundation that will stand when all else fails. Finally, we increase stability by showing them the way they should be living by being the example that they need for their lives. One cannot be stable if he/she is constantly chasing after pipe dreams of believing in one thing or another. We need to be the example of steadfastness in the Lord, with a belief in God that does not waver no matter the obstacles that we face.

We were created to do good works. What does that encompass? I think that it is anything that Jesus speaks to our hearts to do. I don’t know about you, but I meet up frequently with people who need to know that the Lord loves them and cannot know that unless we show them. It’s our actions that speak so much louder than words. I also had another pastor say to me, “People want to see your love at work, not just hear your words about love.” What can one person do? You would be surprised! You can buy a cup of coffee for the homeless person begging on the street. Or purchase a five-dollar gift card for the needy. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to show that you care. How about taking out some of that leftover yarn that you have put away? How about using it to make a warm scarf or mittens for the homeless person begging on the streets? I was so amazed at the story of the young woman who used her credit card to pay for hotel rooms for the people living on the streets when a bitter winter storm was coming. That, my friends, is Jesus’s love in action!

We can say that we love others daily, but until they see our actions, they probably won’t believe it. That is something that I lived with for years with my husband. We had moved a lot, chasing his career and his promotions in the military. I always felt like an afterthought, and I can remember more than once telling him that he needed him to show me that he loved me by his actions. So he would buy me flowers or candy. It wasn’t until he started actually spending time with me that I felt loved. To me, time was a precious commodity that couldn’t be bought for any price and I cherished the moments he spent with just me, looking me in the eyes and talking to me about our love and our future together. It is our actions that show love to others. Our commitment to Christ’s Great Commission is not meant to be something that we cannot do; it’s as easy as spending time with a lonely person, or purchasing a cup of coffee and a muffin, or even paying for a hotel room for someone. You don’t have to go into debt to show love; you just have to be open to God’s leading. Once you have told Him that you are willing to be His love in action, you will be surprised at all of the ways that He shows you to love others. Since He is the Creator God, He is not limited by our finite imaginations and His love is without bounds. He will show you who to love, when and where. Blessings for a good and loving day!