Sunday, August 03, 2008

Quiet Moments With God--They will know us by our love.

I just returned from the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. If I were limited to using only one word to describe what I experienced it would be, LOVE.

My first encounter with the summer conference was in 1992. I remember being overwhelmed. There was so much to learn. But what really took me by surprise was the open, giving hearts of the people who offered their time and gifts to eager students. At the end of a long day some of the writers took my short stories to their rooms to critique my work. They taught me so much, not just about writing but what it means to live out our faith. John 13:34-35 says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Christians have many opportunities to be witnesses to unbelievers. The writing world offers unique opportunities because it's a competitive business. Yet I can’t remember even one instance when a Christian writer betrayed another just to get ahead. In fact, I’ve seen the opposite. My experience with Christian writers is that they want to help and encourage one another in any way they can. Our Lord fills us with a love that outweighs our desire for personal success.

I’m not saying Christian writers are perfect. Of course we’re not. Like everyone else, we struggle with sins like envy and frustration, and sometimes we may even get angry about someone else’s success. However, we belong to God’s family and as heirs of the King we're held to account, and straying hearts are brought back into submission to Him. God loves a humble heart.

It is God in us that enables us to sincerely love one another and to lift up each other even when it means setting aside personal goals. So, let us draw close to God and allow Him to reign in our hearts. May our example draw others to Christ where they will find rest for their weary souls just as we have.

Grace and peace to you from God.

2 comments:

  1. Ah, Bonnie, that's a great word for the conference. What else I loved is how FUN it was! Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was fun, Christina.

    And thank you so much for being one of those who were dispensing love to everyone around you. :-)

    Blessings to you,

    Bonnie

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