“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 my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday (not just because of the food…though that helps). I enjoy Thanksgiving so much because my family just spends a day enjoying each other. We tell stories, catch up on the last year, make each other laugh, and give lots and lots of hugs. I have been incredibly blessed to grow up in an extended family that has a beautiful love for one another. This is because we all share the love of Jesus Christ. I know many of you will have the same kind of experience tomorrow. But I also know there are many people who will not. For many, Thanksgiving is a day of stressful family, broken relationships, or even loneliness. Joyful, peace-inducing love is in short supply these days.

That is where we come in as followers of Jesus Christ. We are the ones who are called…commanded even…to bring love into places where it is lacking. We have experienced incredible, unimaginable love through Jesus Christ. As his followers, we should bring that love with us everywhere we go. Love is almost non-existent in many people’s lives. We want these people to experience the powerful love of Jesus Christ, but the first place they are going to see it is through you and me. Your smile, your laugh, and your hugs have more power than you will ever know. If the people around you can’t see love in their lives, lead them to the place where true love can be found.

Heavenly Father, fill us with Your love to such a degree that it overflows into all the lives around us. Show people Your love through the way we love.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon