Standing at the stove, I added to homemade broth a blend of carrots and celery along with shredded chicken. Then, using a light hand, I sprinkled in herbs and spices and chicken bouillon, tasting and adding more until the flavors melded in the broth in perfect harmony. The recipients of this soup did not know my aim of bringing myself closer to the community. I wanted to do an act of kindness to nurture relationships I had not tended well before. Although I do not know if I affected their lives with this act, I know I acted with the type of love that, like soup base, brings together “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:12).
The recipe for such love begins with offering ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. This sacrifice unites our new self with like-minded believers in the body of Christ who work for the glory of God with the aim of an eternal reward. Nurturing this bond requires communication and trust beyond small talk. The Bible tells us to confess our sins to one another, teach and admonish one another in wisdom, and forgive one another – acts that cause emotions to stir.
Taking advantage of these emotions, the devil sticks his spoon in the pot and slops out meager servings to breed unthankfulness in our hearts. He turns up the heat and causes grudges to boil over. He adds a heaping dollop of deceit to turn us against each other. Our relationships now taste bitter, salty, or just plain gross.
However, the devil’s spoon of bitterness, deceit, and lies holds no power against a love that binds together “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Acting with love encourages others to also act with love and creates a community in which God’s peace resides. This community works heartily for the Lord, allowing the peace of God to guide their interactions with each other. Together, in the base of love, these ingredients simmer into a community that knows the richness of and follows God’s Word.
Father in Heaven, your blessing of community brings great peace. In everything may I act with a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. May my aim be perfect harmony with a community of believers. In your name I pray. Amen.
Throughout This Day: At the end of the day, thinking about your interactions with others, prayerfully consider which developed community and which you need to turn over to God and develop further.