All You Need is Love

"Love is all you need, love is all you need, love is all you need....." sing the Beatles in one of their classic love songs. I can remember the context in which this song came out. There wasn't a whole lot of love going on. Conflict was at every turn. The world was going to "hell in a hand basket" as my mom would say (I am not sure what that means??)

Times are really not that different. Conflict is still at every turn, however, I think our culture has more sophisticated special effects. If you choose not to engage the culture, there are more choices of "worlds" to enter. Some are able to hide better than others.

This morning I was thinking about how complex the world is and how many different voices are crying out for attention and control. As it is has always been, "What the world needs now is love sweet love."

God's Love Song

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16

In spite of what we have done to ourselves, God still loves us. To be more specific, God loves me. I am loved! Past the periphery of all of my experiences, God is there, loving me. His love calls me to love others.

"All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other." John 13:35

I have been reading recently how many people in this world think of Christians as hateful people. I can understand how we have gotten to this point. Some of it should be expected, however, I think much of it Christians have brought upon themselves. "Speaking the truth in love" seems to be in short supply.

Today, I am going to think about "returning to love." That is what the prodigal son did. He returned to love.