"Love" By Max Morton

 This season of Advent I am meditating on LOVE. In John 15:9 Jesus invites us to "...remain (abide) in my love." Jesus is asking me to make my abode, my home in his love. I've moved around so much in my life that home is not easily defined. When I think about what makes home home I think it is a place where I am known, accepted and I belong. I can relax and be myself with no fear of judgment, expectation or performance. Home is a place where I don't wear a mask. I am free to be my true self. 

All this applies to making myself at home in his love. Perfect love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment (1 John 4:18). When I am loved I am not judged and I don't need to be punished. When I make myself at home in his love I am free to be my true self (no mask) without the fear of being punished by judgment. At home I am fully known, accepted and I belong. I have a right to be here. 

Home is a place of shared history, inside jokes and lots of hugs and laughter. Being at home in his love fills me with JOY, calms my anxiety with Love's PEACE, and promises the HOPE of better days ahead.

This advent season I am learning to be at home in his love. I picture an open door with a cozy fire inside and a doormat that says "WELCOME HOME." HOPE, PEACE and JOY all found in one place--at home in his LOVE