— Midweek Meditations:
thoughts, inspiration and encouragement
from ACF community members —
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1,2
Love is the very nature of God. Walking in love is allowing godliness to fill us. Just as children imitate their parents, we are called to reflect God’s love in our daily lives. We are called not just as followers or disciples but as dearly beloved children of God. This makes walking in love a lifestyle rather than an isolated act. Love defines how we interconnect, decide priorities and make decisions. It is this walking in love that makes us fragrant.
Love is sacrificial and unconditional as it was made manifest in the cross. It is not just an emotion, but an intentional act that wants the best for others.
Love requires our liberation from the person of selfishness. Self interest must give way to prioritising the well being of others. Christ centred love is defined by humility and the willingness to serve. Walking in love is not an option. It is what defines the nature of the followers of Christ.
Love is unconditional and forgiving, willing to bear with each other and forgive one another. Love is patient, compassionate, truthful, humble and enduring.
Walking in love must be primarily made manifest in personal relationships. It is all about listening and responding. In marriages and family, love is all about quality time together, acknowledging the other as more important. In leadership, it is about clarity and encouragement. In work place, it is about honesty. In spirituality it is about prayer, generosity and living by God’s word.
The crucial question for us is: How do we walk in love as a church? We should prioritise unity over division, practice radical hospitality, care for those in peripheries, build up one another, restore relationships, preach and live the truth in love, pray and reach out to people in need, acknowledging human dignity of all, reflect Christ in our lives and always carry the fragrance of Christ to the world.
A community of grace can be a fragrant community, primarily when we walk in love. This love is best manifest in our homes and is reflected in relationship within the church community. It then overflows reaching out and transforming the life of people who hunger and thirst for love around us. Let us walk in love.
The ACF Midweek Meditations
are written by a diverse group of our church members with the intention to seek God’s fingerprints in our lives. They range from somber to humorous and are inspired by all facets of live and faith. Written by ordinary people from all walks of life, they reflect a wide range of Christian backgrounds and spiritualities.
Each week’s text portrays the individual viewpoint of its author. They might not always resonate with everyone, and are not meant to be understood as representing the Anglican Church Freiburg as a whole. Yet, as a church that is aiming to ‘Build a Community of Grace’ we seek to practice learning from and listening to one another.
We pray that these humble ponderings add a small spark of blessing to your week.
Freiburg Anglican Church 