What's the Difference?

Daily Reading: Galatians 5-6

Scripture Focus: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 5.2)

Devotional Thought: I heard the story once of a woman who was married to a very demanding and demeaning man. (No, it's not Lana's story!) When they first married he had given her a list of things she had to do for him every day, including cooking, cleaning and laundry. She kept that list in her dresser drawer to remind her to fulfill all his expectations. She did not wish to suffer his wrath if she failed. Every day she labored under those burdensome duties, resentful and sad. After many years, the overbearing husband died, and over the course of time she met another man. They married and he treated her like a queen. Their home was happy and her heart was full of joy and love. One day as she was going through some things in her dresser, she came across the old list, faded and torn. As she looked at it, she was surprised! She was doing every one of those things for her husband now without even thinking about it. What had been a burden had become a delight. What was the difference? The difference was love.

That difference, of course, explains the joy we find in serving God and one another. The old song goes, "He ain't heavy. He's my brother." It's true, of course. When we love somebody, bearing their burdens is not a heavy task but a joy and delight.

"Fulfill the law of Christ," Paul wrote. What is that law? It is the law of love. And that makes all the difference in the world!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you love me with a perfect and unconditional love. Because of that love, you gave your life for me. Help me to love you and live for you and to love and serve others as well. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (Psalms 96:1-6)