Good morning, Friend, who was waiting for me even before I opened my eyes, to gift me Your presence.
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Everything begins with You and the Father, in this unending flow of love into which You have also invited me, so small and fragile.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15:9)
No Longer a Servant, but Your Friend
Lord, how profound these words are! You no longer call me a servant, one who blindly obeys without understanding his master’s business. You call me a friend.
To a friend, You have revealed everything You heard from the Father. What an honor, what trust! I do not want to take it for granted.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
I want to be such a friend to You, Lord. And I want to understand that You chose me for this friendship. It was not my decision, but Your invitation, Your initiative.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16)
Remaining in You to Bear Fruit
Your choice is not without purpose. You have appointed me to go and bear fruit that will last. But I know, Lord, that I cannot do this on my own. I know that every attempt to love in my own strength fails and degenerates into self-interest.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Yes, Jesus, without You I can do nothing. Help me today to remain in You, to breathe with You. Only in this way will I be able to fulfill Your single, yet all-important, commandment.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
May my life today be a response to this commandment. May I love not only with words, but with deeds, even in the small acts of service I will encounter today.
May my heart be open to those You send across my path. Grant that Your joy may be in me, and that my joy may be made complete in You today.
Amen.
Amen 🙏
AMEN!!!!