Rooted In Love

Our life is to be rooted in love. We are ever indebted to always love our neighbor, and we must never stop. —Johnny Cash 

“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.” —John 13:34–35 NLT 

Surface-y love is easy, isn’t it? Most of us can hold a smile, maintain eye contact, and nod empathetically long enough to make a good impression. We know how to give the appearance of loving concern in short bursts of social interaction, whether we genuinely feel that love or not. 

But that’s not what Jesus calls us to. Nothing about His love is surface-y or contrived. He’s not concerned about making an impression on other people; He’s concerned about making a difference in their lives. Look at the bar He sets for the way we’re to love others: “just as I have loved you.” 

Think about the impact Jesus’ love has had on your life. His love gives you hope. His love assures you that you’re not alone. His love encourages you to step out in faith, maximize your God-given gifts, and grow in your relationship with Him. That’s the impact we should be striving for in the way we show love to others. 

Johnny Cash exposes the difference between surface-y love and impactful love with a single word: rooted. The kind of love Jesus calls us to comes from deep within us. Its roots run to the core of our being. 

Before such roots can grow, however, we must plant spiritual seeds. We do that by studying Jesus’ example, the way He interacted not just with His disciples but also with random people He encountered on His journeys. We do that by exploring our spiritual gifts, understanding better how God has equipped and wired us. We do that through prayer, constant communication with our loving heavenly Father. We do that by watching the example of others, mature believers who have mastered the art of Christlike love. 

When our seeds bear fruit, they create a win-win-win scenario for everyone involved. The kind of love Jesus calls us to makes a difference in the lives of the people who experience it firsthand. They get a sense of what it’s like to have someone care deeply for them, with no ulterior motives. They see themselves as being worthy of love. 

The kind of love Jesus calls us to makes a difference in our lives as well. Following Jesus’ example in showing love to others brings us closer to Him. The intimacy it creates extends into other areas of our lives as well. A loving spirit will help change the way we approach our own struggles. It will result in a healthier self-image. It will change the way others see and interact with us. 

The kind of love Jesus calls us to also makes a difference in the lives of others who witness it. Even though they’re not experiencing it firsthand, they’re seeing Jesus’ love at work. They’re seeing what it looks like to be His disciple. They’re seeing something that can change their lives. The fact that we have an opportunity to give them such a glimpse is another of God’s loving gifts to us. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the love You show me. Thank You for entrusting me with Your love, so that I can share it with others. Help me recognize the opportunities I have to do just that. Nourish the roots of my soul so that I continue to produce the fruit of love and discipleship. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

This is an excerpt from Walking the Line: 90 Devotions of Truth and Hope Based on the Faith of Johnny Cash – a new devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.