Love in action
Proverbs 3:3-4 says
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Wow, I want that, don't you?
Let love and faithfulness never leave you … Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. But what does that really mean?
When I looked up the definition of the word favor, it said "approval; support or liking someone or something " Yes, I want that, too— approval from God.
I kept digging because I think this verse is such a great reminder of Love in Action. In other words, do others actually see that we are loving and faithful by the lives we live? And if you are primarily seeking favor (approval) from God, then others should see His love come through.
This question caused me to look up the definition of another word: influence.
"The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself."
When I read this verse, I immediately think of Jesus and the influence he had over the multitudes he taught, healed, and cared for so passionately. His effect was undeniable as those who were healed walked around in living color giving praise where praise was due. And the investment Jesus made by spending most of His time while on earth with His 12 disciples speaks volumes to me about influence. Jesus modeled for the disciples how to live. He trained them, taught them how to pray, corrected them if needed, loved them unconditionally, and told them when He was gone they would be the ones to carry on, so listen well to what I have taught and shown you.
I don't know about you, but I have had so many people throughout my life who have influenced me. My parents, grandparents, husband, children, pastors, teachers, coaches, bosses, friends, mentors, mentees, roommates, colleagues, employees. Whether you were influenced by someone or you influenced someone yourself, as the verse so beautifully states: If we write love and faithfulness on the tablet of our heart, then we will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Do others see you as loving and faithful? Would your influence be described as Love in Action?