Like A River Glorious

Philipians 2:1-3 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete, by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition but in humility consider others better than yourselves


John 15:17 This is my commandment, love one another.


We are commanded to love one another. It seems like a simple command, but so hard to do. In this house we love each other, or at least we try to. But not a day goes by when words or actions, many times my own, show a lack of love. We can be irritable in this family, easily offended and sharp tongued. The seamless garment of family unity that I long for is frayed, thin, and has a few holes in places. These thin palces show everywhere: sharp words to little ones, sarcastic comments, locked doors, ignoring a cry for help becacuse eyes are glued to a screen, a rude "shhhh!' to a loud voice. It shows in more subtle ways: not listening, not looking in each other's eyes, not slowing down to connect.

It is easy to justify this. We are together ALL day. Ten different people, all different ages and personalities. All sinners. A teeneager wants his "own space." A mom needs a break from the relentless responsibilities. A brother doesn't want to play with his sister. We are cooped up in cold and snow. But these are all excuses. We are acting out of selfish ambition, not considering others first, but thinking of only what "I want." We are sinners, frayed selfish sinners.

I think, on the harder days, "How did we get here?" Mainly I recall my own poor example. Are we too busy, too busy to connect with one another? Are we not taking the time to look to The One who connects us? This family overlows, like a river that skips it's bank. It is a river that never seems to stay in the neat boundaries that I desire for it. It runs on, this life of ours, like a wild river...and I feel powerless to stop it. But He is the one changes hearts and the course of a river (Pr. 21:1). He is the one working in us, completing the good work that He has begun in us. My confidence needs to be in Him (Phil 1:6) not in my self, a new book, or system. He put us here together in this family, to learn to love each other for His purpose.

So we try by His grace to mend what is frayed. Start with me Lord. Change me. Show me where I am selfish. Show me how to choose others. Mend the holes. Strengthen the weak places. Make us one, having one spirit, love, and purpose. We are a river, a strong river. Help us to flow together.

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious, in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way - Frances R. Havergal