May Your Love Overflow…

Today was a day for driving, enjoying stunning scenery (okay, EVERY day in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains is a day for stunning scenery!), and being a part of wonderful celebrations. First it was the Christmas Party at Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center which was also the kick-off for their 70th anniversary celebration. Next, we went to the YMCA of the Rockies for the retirement party of their long-time director, Kent Meyer who is also a member of Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies and a good friend. I took this picture of Mount Meeker from the back deck of the main building at Highlands.

How can you not thank God each and every day when you get to see such beauty as this when you look out the window? There is a bumper sticker that I have seen around Estes Park that makes me smile. It says simply: “Another Ho-Hum Day In Paradise” with Estes Park, Colorado underneath the phrase. I don’t know about the ho-hum part, but this place truly is paradise… a big slice of heaven here on earth… and we get to live here!

Paul says in Philippians 1:3 – “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” This is a part of the Scripture readings for the Second Sunday in Advent. I can easily adapt that to say, “Every time I look out the window, I give thanks to my God.” I have to admit, this passage is a welcome respite from the doom and gloom apocalyptic sayings of Jesus from last Sunday or John the Baptist’s remarks that are in the readings for the Third Sunday in Advent.

I grieve in light of the things going on in the world today (violence, warfare, greed, fanaticism of all kinds…) and what I sadly read from some so-called christians (lower case is intentional) as they respond to made-up wars on Christmas and phony persecution (Starbucks? Really? Happy Holidays? Really?). A friend of mine in response to the latest round of insanity from the far right said she was ready to move to Mars. At times like that, it is, frankly difficult to keep on singing any sort of a song of hope. Somehow, though, I am able to keep on singing and praying.

I told the congregation at Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies last Sunday that despite all that is going on in the world, they can and still do make a difference. It may be done locally, but the ripple effect goes beyond our Rocky Mountain home. With that in mind, I read once again the passage from Philippians 1.

This verse keeps  bubbling up in my heart: “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters…”. (Philippians 1:9-10a)

Love that overflows more and more… knowledge and understanding of what really matters… those phrases take me back to Jesus’ discussion of what the sum of the law is. You want to obey the law? You want to know what is important to God? “Love God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Period. End of Sentence!

As I look with dismay at what is going on in the world and what is being done in the name of God… in the name of Jesus… how guns are worshiped instead of the Savior… I find myself returning to what Paul said in Philippians 1:9. I pray that your love will overflow more and more…

Will that love that I try and share make a difference in the world? I don’t know. But God knows. I do know one thing though. If I don’t share that love and allow it to overflow, then darkness wins.

Will you join me, especially in this season of anticipation and preparation, in living my life differently from what the headlines seem to reflect? By the grace of God, may our love overflow more and more…