Reflecting God’s Love
Dear Southport Congregational Church,
I’m an early riser; most days my alarm goes off between 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. I like the stillness and quiet of the mornings. I also learned relatively quickly after having children, if I want quiet and solitude it either has to occur early in the morning or late at night. Seeing that I’m falling asleep before 10:00 p.m. on the couch most nights I choose to rise early, take the dog for a walk, brew a pot of coffee and maybe get a crossword in before 6:30 a.m.
This past Saturday, I rose early to go for a run. From the parsonage, I ran down Pequot Avenue towards Westport. Eventually, I turned around and made my way back before finishing at the intersection of Center Street and Harbor Road. As I caught my breath, I noticed the stillness of Southport Harbor. I saw the reflection of boats sitting silently, gulls flying high in the sky, and the beautiful blending of oranges, reds, and yellows as the sun continued its ascent.
It caused me to think about reflections. In other words: is the way I react to my circumstances a reflection of God’s faithful love? Am I speaking in such a way that reflects God’s kindness and love to others? Am I treating others in such a way that reflects the goodness of God’s love? Am I listening to others in such a way that reflects God’s patient love? Or am I reflecting something completely different? When I get cut off in traffic without a wave of apology, do I reflect God’s love or something else? When my patience is tested and I’m quicker to speak than to listen, do I reflect God’s love or something else?
Each and every one of us is filled with God’s love; Paul’s opening words to the church in Ephesus remind us of this foundational truth: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. Before we were even born, God poured His love into us.
As followers of Christ, we are now called to reflect that love to everyone around us. This is all to say, are you reflecting the love of Jesus to your spouse, children, neighbors, colleagues, and even adversaries with your words and actions? Or are you reflecting something else? The next time the sun reflects off Southport Harbor or even the windshield of a car, may you be reminded that God poured His love into you before the creation of the world so that you might reflect that same love to others.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Dr. Mark Waterstone