FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

He was called Brother Lawrence. Only a few letters he wrote and a few notes on conversations with him written by others exist, but this man has had great influence on many hungry Christians' lives. Brother Lawrence lived in the 1600's. He devoted his life to a community of monks. The challenge that he left believers was that they could "practice the presence of God." He said that it was possible to experience God at any and every moment. I do not want to debate his life nor his beliefs, but he continually emphasized one thing that is a real challenge. He taught that a big part of "practicing the presence of God," was to "do little things for the love of God." Bro. Lawrence hated kitchen work, yet, he was assigned to be the cook for the whole community. He had a natural aversion to the work and hated the thought of it, but he determined to do each task for the love of God, that is, to show his love for God. Each act, however undesirable or deplorable, he would do as an act of devotion and love to God-he peeled potatoes for the love of God. In doing this, he found great joy and a great sense of God's presence. Wouldn't it transform our lives in home, at work, and in the church if we would only do each task before us as an act of love to God? We cannot show love to God except through concrete acts to humanity. That is why Jesus said that if we did it unto even the least of humanity, we did it unto Him. "For the love of God" can be more than an expression to use when making an appeal. It can be a way of living. It can be a way of practicing the presence of God. For the love of God, try it!