A few months ago, we had lunch with some friends who are doing amazing ministry with the homeless community in Boulder. They are missionaries, serving in their community, so I feel blessed to learn from them. Our conversation still comes back to me and is a daily reminder.

We were talking about how easy it is to get overwhelmed with the need and desire to serve everyone, to minister to everyone, to love everyone. The world is a big place and there’s a lot going on that we can’t help with. It can be overwhelming and it’s an impossible feat to do everything. She mentioned a quote from Mother Teresa that has stuck with me. I want to live like this…

She talked about loving the people right in front of us. Taking the moment to focus on that one person and do whatever is needed to love them. I get so overwhelmed with the other people I could be serving and the other things I could be doing that I sometimes overlook the “here and now” moment. Mother Teresa taught so many life lessons with simple phrases…I am challenged to love in the moment. Especially with all that is going on in the world around us. I want to love in the midst of hate, revenge, bitterness or fear. I want those around me to know LOVE and not hate, revenge, bitterness or fear. I want those that are lost and forgotten, ignored or outcasted, mistreated and misunderstood to know LOVE. And not just my love, but the love of Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:16-18: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.“

 So in the midst of all that’s going on in the world, in our country and in our communities, how are YOU showing Christ’s love to those around you?