Daily devotional · February 28
Love That Shows Up
“Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.”
Paul lists what genuine love looks like in daily life: hate what is evil, hold on to what is good, be devoted to one another, honor others above yourself, be zealous in serving, be joyful in hope and patient in trouble. Then he gets even more concrete: share with those in need, practice hospitality, rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. Love here is not sentiment; it is presence. Sometimes the hardest part is simply showing up when someone is celebrating or grieving. We do not need perfect words. Today, think of someone in your circle who is in a season of joy or sorrow. Reach out in a specific way: attend the event, bring a meal, send a warm message, or sit with them in silence. Let your presence say what words cannot.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to celebrate and to grieve with others, and to love with my presence. Amen.