Love One Another
By John and Kelly Chesnut and José and Laura de Dios
Post date: June 1, 2020
Relationships are foundational to life. We were created for relationships with our Creator and with one another. One of the greatest gifts God has given us in nurturing our relationships with him and with others is the gift of grace.
Grace is imperative if we’re to develop and nurture relationships with others. Every single person on planet Earth is distinctly different; our personalities, temperaments, experiences and cultures shape and influence who we are, what we do and why we do it. The more people we encounter and form relationships with, the more opportunity there is for grace to shine.
One particular experience highlighted this truth for the four of us. We were trying to decide where to go for lunch, since José and Laura don’t often get a chance to come to Orlando together. They suggested a place that seemed a bit more adventurous for John. But because of the grace and trust that we extend to each other in our friendship, he agreed to try a kind of food he wasn’t too sure about.
We had a lot of fun looking at menus and asking the staff dozens of questions about poke bowls. John was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the meal, which also made our lunch conversation more fun. Being able to laugh together also allowed space for us to be ourselves. That’s led to deeper conversations where we’ve learned from each other’s experiences and perspectives.
Jesus calls us to love one another. It isn’t a call to love others who are just like us. His call is an invitation to love all of God’s children no matter their background, experiences or personalities. God created each of us uniquely — with different personalities, talents and cultures — to reflect the beauty of his grace.
As we go through memorable experiences with our friends and those close to us, extending grace and mercy will not only bless them — it can also enrich our own lives.
Questions for Reflection:
How can you practice a posture of grace and humility in love as you listen to others and their stories?
How can you share your story in a way that invites others into grace-filled conversation?
What would it look like for you to love your neighbor in truth and grace today?
Dive deeper into how Jesus taught us to love each other with truth and grace in humility.
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