The power of love

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you – St. John 15: 11-12.

Antoine Cunningham was my music student when I taught at Charles W. Saunders Baptist High School. He had a voice that was smooth as silk and angelic. I just loved to accompany him when he sang Babbie Mason’s “Show Me How To Love”. Today, Antoine continues to sing praises to the God of all creation!

What the world needs now is a little of Jackie DeShannon’s song, “What The World Needs Now Is Love” – and not just for some people, but for everyone.

What a sad state of hate this world is in! Hate is consuming us to the point that no longer are we our brothers’ keepers, but our brothers’ killers. The tender love of mothers for children and children for mothers have turned into a sea of constant arguments and fighting. There is hatred among those who are called the “children of God” – hatred even among followers of the same political parties, hatred among the so-called street gangs, hatred among races and creeds and hatred even as someone told me recently, you are hated for the way you walk, talk and even chew your food. Wow!

Here in our text today, Jesus is giving us the recipe that will combat the enemy called hate, and in today’s language, the “vaccine” for hate is just one dose of love that will remain flowing in the depths of our innermost being. Love will fight battles for us wherever we go.

Love will bring victory for our trials, temptations and encounters. Love will lift you from the sinking sands of the vicissitudes of life to joy unspeakable and full of glory. The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, tells us that nothing is worthwhile if it is void of love. You can be the best of the best and give the most of the many but if it is not done in the bond of love, it is futile.

But love cannot be purchased in the supermarkets. Love, like a seed, must be “planted, watered and nourished” in order that it may grow to bear bounteous harvests.

When I taught at Uriah McPhee School from 1980-1982, Friday mornings were a joy as the whole school gathered in the auditorium for assembly. It was praying, short devotion, and most of all singing. I enjoyed Elsie Pilgrim as she would lead in singing the song “Love is Something, if You Give it Away.”

Let us resolve ourselves as a people to put away the hate among us and lift high the banner of love each to the other, no matter our circumstances or station in life, the church we attend, the political party we support, but acknowledge that we are one in Christ – and in him there is no east or west, or north or south.

• E-mail haystreet241@gmail.com or rubyanndarling@yahoo.com. Write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas, with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God’s blessings.

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