Affection Expressing care and closeness through physical touch and through words such as “I love you” or “I Care about you.” (Romans 16:16. Mark 10:16)
Meeting The Need for Affection in Believers and Others
When my kids were little, we belonged to a small church of about 100 members. We did everything with a huge majority of the families in this church. This probably was the time when I most felt like “family” in a church to date. It was very unique because we didn’t just see one another on Sundays or small group, we truly did life together.
I have wondered for a long time “what made that church different?” How did doing life together there differ from any other church I have been in? How was it that so “many” families did so much life…together? I honestly don’t have an answer to that question. Maybe it was just the time of life we were in. I am not really sure, but I do know that we cared deeply about and for one another.
I have countless stories of us mourning and rejoicing with one another (Romans 12:15) – some tears, for sure, along with LOTS of laughter. My faith probably grew the most then due to the fact that people were intentional in my life. I was cared for there and so was my family. We spent many nights at each other’s dinner tables. We did family activities together, and we helped one another when help was needed.
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Affection
Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Affection)
We experienced God together. We did bible studies together. We prayed for each other, and we carried one another’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2)
I have countless stories of different families, including my own, in this church for which Galatians 6:2 rang true. One story I would like to share is of a dear, sweet friend of mine. The affection I witnessed for my friend and her family from the whole body of believers at this church was amazing.
My sweet friend, Juanita, had brain cancer. She had a loving husband and 2 young girls at home, and she was my best friend. Our families did so much together. My youngest son and her youngest daughter grew together – from the womb. Not only did my family love them, but they were incredibly loved by this entire church.
Juanita and her family loved the families in this church too. Juanita was incredibly gifted in hospitality. You could go to her house at any time of the day and she would practically “make you sit down at her table” – no matter who you were!
When it was discovered that my friend had brain cancer, the church rallied around this family to help. Car rides for treatment, house cleaning, sitting by her bedside singing her favorite hymns to her, meals, caring for the girls, redoing their bedroom, laughing and crying with them, praying for them…whatever it took…we were there!.
I remember one day Juanita was struggling with her treatments, but she slowly walked into church with the biggest smile on her face because she was so happy to be there with everyone. Her prayer was to live, but she trusted God if she didn’t. When she passed away, it was like the whole church’s heart was just sucker punched. She was loved dearly, and she loved dearly too.
The thing is…this body of believers and the non-church-goers in her life saw Jesus in her and saw Jesus work using the hands and feet of His “sons and daughters” – her family of “brothers and sisters”. It was the highest form of affection, and so many rolled up their sleeves and cared in any way they were needed both for her and her
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a “Lamp and Light” (Psalm 119:105)Let’s do the Book!-
Would you please read at least 3 of the following scriptures? Study them and jot down a note or two to discuss with your spouse about how care is explained in each those you highlight.
Philippians 2:4 Romans 12:10 Galatians: 6:10 John 13:34-35 1 John 3:17-18 Matthew 25:40 Galatians 6:9-10 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Colossians 3:12
May I ask if you care for the families in your church, your neighborhood or at your workplace in this way? I need to ask myself this question. Do I freely offer affectionate caring to those I know and those I don’t know so well (neighbors)? I don’t think I make the time to do it very well, if I am being honest. I wonder, “How many times did I pass the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet to someone because I am too busy?” This saddens my heart incredibly. What would your answers be to these questions?
Light Source #3: Followers of Jesus are called the “Light of the World” (Matt 5:14)
Honestly, as I sat down to write this I didn’t think I was going to get convicted (not that I am perfect mind you..haha), but, in truth, I have been deeply convicted! I want to be God’s Light to the world. I want to be His hands and feet. I want to experience what I had in that little church again, and maybe I may have to be the one that says, “Yes, Lord. Send me!”
What about you, my friend? In this world, now more than ever, people need the affection of God, and you can be the one He chooses to meet that need. What will your response be? How will you change your schedule to be in a place to meet that need? Will you offer your kitchen table to anyone that stops by? Will you roll up your sleeves to help in any way that is needed, or will you be too busy or too tired …again? I know that seasons of life prevent some of us from being available, but let’s determine to do what we can for one, even if we’d like to serve everyone.
As I pray and ask God to show ME what I need to do or change in order to be able to say “Yes, Lord”, may I also pray for YOU?I would be honored to pray for you and be encouraged that I am not alone in this struggle.
As I, Dave Lewis, read through this draft in preparation for this 52-Week plan to go out Saturday, I too have been clearly convinced by Holy Spirit that those new neighbors of ours in the subdivision where we are to move in December must be a priority. Carol and I intend to practice “Prayer – Care – Share” with as many as God opens the door. We have begun to pray and will walk and pray the neighborhood regularly. As we discover needs in each life or family we’ll do what we can to meet the need or support them in a way to let them know they are not alone, and as God allows, we will share the Gospel of Jesus along with “our very lives as well”.
Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”