True gift

1 John 2:12-17

            It is difficult at times to discern what is my voice and what is the voice of God. It is easy to convince oneself that what you want is what God wants. You simply say, God wants me to do that or God wants me to have that. I am one of the first to say that God would want us all to be rich and so largely blessed by wealth or nice things.

                But truth be told, this passage tells of the truly important stuff of the world. What does God really want from us. The message as far as I can tell going back to youth is to love one another, oneself and of course God. I think if you love others and yourself you are in fact loving God but that's not my point. They key is simply love.

           Love is not born of all the material things of the world. While we are finishing up Christmas proper, we have probably been a bit overwhelmed by some of those material things. What will last much longer than any to, cell phone, laptop or whatever will be the joy in our hearts which came not from the gifts but from the love, fellowship and family. It is again the love which is most important.

          It is the love in our hearts and how all that plays out in our lives that is the most important. It is our humanity in all it's aspects that we use to celebrate and share love. From hugs and sharing, to making love and simply 'being there' for each ther. All the aspects of human love which has very little if anything to do with material things.

          So go love someone, show your family how much you love them. Love your spouse, partner, friend and be the most loving and appreciateive you can be. Offer yourself and all that you are.  Your humanity and your love are the route to our salvation and wholeness, not worldly things. 

I am writing to you, little children,
   because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
   because you have conquered the evil one.
I write to you, children,
   because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
   because you are strong
   and the word of God abides in you,
     and you have overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.