%PDF-1.7 1 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Outlines 2 0 R /Pages 3 0 R >> endobj 2 0 obj << /Type /Outlines /Count 0 >> endobj 3 0 obj << /Type /Pages /Kids [6 0 R 19 0 R 23 0 R ] /Count 3 /Resources << /ProcSet 4 0 R /Font << /F1 8 0 R /F2 9 0 R /F3 10 0 R /F4 11 0 R /F5 12 0 R /F6 13 0 R >> /XObject << /I1 15 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS1 16 0 R /GS2 17 0 R /GS3 21 0 R /GS4 22 0 R /GS5 27 0 R >> >> /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] >> endobj 4 0 obj [/PDF /Text /ImageC ] endobj 5 0 obj << /Producer (dompdf 3.1.0 + CPDF) /CreationDate (D:20250913191833+00'00') /ModDate (D:20250913191833+00'00') >> endobj 6 0 obj << /Type /Page /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] /Parent 3 0 R /Contents 7 0 R >> endobj 7 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 1594 >> stream x}Wێ6}Wc 8\-&mA/hQ}%"V]R~FԞ˦DW9gHDQDnqHi)V+%=t]Fq)"z'd~GhO??y_ ?}syq6}Ȣbzc68q]H.aa0'ZeY`E=A[ג7pN"-o%hkFKf?-yɜ'It%)WFNOtlTO~ضáV(WE`Hj 6vNP8wp%DdsV= ސSU 7kF! X%xA܈}Qڎ_:U}ՄX'Q^Ӗi@۱mz.dAj^5傅3"T_7t*9:ud=zM1G֥(PI[/^!j//$>u*jXR;1iLDpߚV[#&Ȼ H`$>H[/i3zV( xuP}(P [ kff7 Qak*oB ,  ObZ%a+sz ݝ!t-N[]%{0SĜ~=t/XW!a* UXתLXVw iCKLDyój.G|x%_֮V%S?X+'apP@Q,,Tȝ>0B{|WGOx6W-LaI[ն>tNz{dg͸U͈֡I,?')x19b4LdjCg!LQYJ[l^ AL\deHSNޙ8}f/b̞CP_AZ˦%Tt2y6@ÉF=D~ݟVr;G4z}ǁНnI. Y ҟB˵Lݎb>3k4M4MGzӪk{LhFQB.2Q!,ϓ#P^Dq;[r Y]_: 0nX*`DR6 3gDR!/:5LJ HЏ!Šz+5,d=1͜<<ơ%ez)"ǧ.fΣy")Wo:_M񒃵rluM(Ipn};HPIvy\<.$r8IPSҷN(?q>8 Hۆ6Uy<lFgNLwia8>Oɍ927-<>;+$hWP/Wɿ0RS\3 {8 #\. zk:GtMkT!sqCL;ǟ .!x>?0|B9z$K<4t endstream endobj 8 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F1 /BaseFont /Helvetica /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 9 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F2 /BaseFont /Times-Bold /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 10 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F3 /BaseFont /Times-Roman /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 11 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F4 /BaseFont /Helvetica-Bold /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 12 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F5 /BaseFont /Helvetica-BoldOblique /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 13 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F6 /BaseFont /Helvetica-Oblique /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 14 0 obj [6 0 R /Fit] endobj 15 0 obj << /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Width 125 /Height 125 /ColorSpace /DeviceRGB /Filter /DCTDecode /BitsPerComponent 8 /Length 4255>> stream JFIFC    !'"#%%%),($+!$%$C   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$}}" "rviTr wʗ/8q=HҊQk{)pulF=dni=-RJPA-GB )d(>J|ld(an}"ǹZ,HkhdR4o'!1 "#$3B}e2"^HN|QgpP 1 |Nu?؏ھï&v xKcǖ5)oWiٚf1, Xfgc7yC瀞Ao>AAa,!2ܰD8>oDFx3Eqv 3Se*, |}q6gtلVrQyck}8Ϙ|/1&P2P(  #^JYqmw Xƣ%E3= Jkcȱj_#cep­a{ q^ X5[5F#g-"Ք+Pqn9nm 6iʀ18<ȼ!,`3)x%L=6/=m[# 8 V^W.!"1 AQa02Bq#CR?䌭 霣([/jAX-l-MRF2ilC!H.e\+BbTOܚ"Co -PCKگ~C?c[To7p,s](kUxw/ɂ|\&(='e%pT9'bOsO5r:*#d^Ĩ*+t±S(a;)ID8gS'=A B4XZO=ՊCGeC6ye]#!1AQaq?!cLHFT=F!;TSܣ`ةI-I1LPwK;B'bJOrޘ9Si+A _/I4&)`j!(ȼZ体$aa ξ=Qi w16#G2Kr Pzq_ b;S'[Xփq<2 iT.㑬9WMklΘ:yq ruLfq^ b{egKO`92ʐٔC~'> UfgTnɧp=1:HⲬ<̘cO(VF/k-p!.5F]6)[<:hJ(ͫ$5&i7oN~[C6v/YZ)2IheBXenAHTB'8tBh2e_Ht,4~XL=Q:dGG|$u&;MXklڀ ,Q-cڈbIQ,̂;O[5,ߢp=1kaeЀMe1AFA-F'c?!^ϓMhA3] tב^rddEǼx8G(fSC[NTl8m*cd&JSƫpȚzbҚМ{a] *l^1hAXJ 5Fr!Kr"! |[}E)q4sd|i͂ f!1AQaq?.0Z "`n̛ նI@Sx<nǝ6%Qp{@#١u,]1m\L 4 |աs<^2["l ŵ;-Cپ}ps(\`߻7ܞ??$!1AaQqѱ?T[$ lub/5dpXԳ2JT!`dP,- sx6 LxS)j/kV FAF jU훁hTe\DzAX\frukp\+v VKBHt6 402f .jS+!MRc3DQ-!3) :CKEqWƕPǖl l |n+@~rpJ? 4EFe-Rgvx +Iӈum`AmQ=AM6eˁHy5.c.߂d V'iPމG%@h=EnR?}̵S'p,. WZ<hYB&އmG[h_+B·1CiC-_'1R&W CFk36bUg2qh\v *U$x6ahIo/ >Fu6x͞qb괵#0.gBހwɯtUK#(|ͩu]ZA&A PE{J2*R=D@B #aj*VՋ+"Y8&+d.Wf_SWs 0b 4|1X۝eB>Ɂf+Ġ"tW^DfƆn.eU})+F,ԶdbeD@`H <(M1"`+h*aVXl4))1,S. TP,Gg>>Gȭa(5<0ea;K8ap z Cu2,2!*kNDyfp%q^U81|U endstream endobj 16 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /CA 0.3 >> endobj 17 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /ca 0.3 >> endobj 18 0 obj [6 0 R /Fit] endobj 19 0 obj << /Type /Page /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] /Parent 3 0 R /Contents 20 0 R >> endobj 20 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 2322 >> stream xXrܸ}WѮC_e{׎7q\kq038,@V>Ss5J%@~)e{{gFψGQ-Ks7('enMGvߞ١i-_N]D>{وJ$kiV?Jv2Uݖ(n_zhy8zkgNtS$5/Rf _)bwpFC'6L>JI݋vWT.WXB6ή' ۵yM֜G}*i,UU>zGBXI^lA۝ae{zޑPePn-LȎad\?DXKD;'“ּ(VұM~INvlTd9JBH0{~CGq(nݬ*Ǔ&ƒPpAl:i~pluЪ~v=~ `{; 늧E[#F(sgi@-ALprj6KOnb8}CK2.x+حSaa#( ,B(gΧƨ<` 9hQgY~Shsl^!Lݎ۝sq/RBVN._.#Q4:gY]7懲ݝK;@%Y{p![F)/PL p];Qѷ6J$l3f>nO=*Ě®pX 7 Đ-hw>ZHY|A=G\!̐aB*+<ѭcqŪ׽ha8UF^ ;Oi`TnUپdjr[׼Be{OrJII^(m0O! G @O7rT>8OjKu%aP!&6Y;rzUO}[0i2hw⥙2-| vw[_H( K|&>¼߄oI@#>kBHCkZLhR:D^C` |qu/HxxG=ULDn\?l襛}_'#: z9K ?rMm {iV!0Yɫ:ľ=zZ?i 3=i}CfU\#,MLq&DDXimm0pow@1\S]N `H3 Ô#|h.t"BLUxf ܱſ<9u.d7%DFh䣒W8Y~e)) >)KTcUDǷWyr#[fP*TNHr(NJYY*/QX 7QQ\1.xyx2J}"[V<./gE{W}>OUΫ^+ Z'}%;c 4t[Mճegy틥K7l,9#^)t,`86HW?(Jf29"z&.y㋸fHK<#+*`J3a "]Q!Cǘ'g*`BlN?\0ΘW{g-ҽ3g3eL !T0) ȢL v?\0;W{,ҽf]=KC|u<(nuP8ѭkSGu}d'F"O zqhzf8 Pp'YZQ![rE7X+xdgr1lB ȅ*"7;r{tOY'ό=\ȒLUHM\Lu}r2toYbiߐ+EERkA%tĎ+:8bǔ5w*;bjm~/*THeGI^ B twk#º@9 ;k]N,W):݈^pkAD!x]r-pN8^.wv~\ ػl]~(r^{5cSxz]$u{y6GU[٤iiQi(bhPYtZͽ{oj!Hܯ?\_7Nы,]}O=n*ij@Bot}k섞W@B.{0܇'3::o3Nx~h endstream endobj 21 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /CA 1 >> endobj 22 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /ca 1 >> endobj 23 0 obj << /Type /Page /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] /Parent 3 0 R /Annots [ 25 0 R 29 0 R 31 0 R 33 0 R 35 0 R ] /Contents 24 0 R >> endobj 24 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 2593 >> stream xYɎܸS8ڴs2qt#F0]bR.Σ)RK7I==y[onXE{Ju$v=;I+o<|?4aҬHR)!a'ԠHb*Ѓu+{|Rh'AT-;PK,q pҵu@W혺pd@ݡ^ծgx#6*X՝d'DaΓsH$e ;ʉ屪kJH xYh{|}_AP2~vdʞx!|hkNvq)&.rtREja"Yj.ERľƗڹ⥷O5(xd[ޡ1 e|~:b.~}Q r5C)[_tt풳K}YwRlWw^ {̈́>).>5,SM9}21r~+  <59Fx^.6zaMxv#F&=cNƒv2p7ti~N}#\~&㌧pHi3eg w%'_yDz,YG|%]Nϧ >Ƌu{n#ņ)e42>-ܜ[֮Fw)rlb;u']\mrT6Oa6.q"2$ޜIEBٮ Rs1z՗^?\#NGЎi˓y|{NNmdVges` 8a íezf}omO/MhX&plv9 6B/ LdE]I > endobj 26 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (https://caringmagazine.org/subscribe/) >> endobj 27 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /CA 0.67 >> endobj 28 0 obj [23 0 R /Fit] endobj 29 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /F 28 /A 30 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 398.4680 167.5010 514.4960 179.7110 ] >> endobj 30 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (https://learn.caringmagazine.org/scripture-sign-up) >> endobj 31 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /F 28 /A 32 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 91.0040 152.8490 250.3880 165.0590 ] >> endobj 32 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (https://westernusa.salvationarmy.org/usw_thq/location_search/) >> endobj 33 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /F 28 /A 34 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 65.0000 138.1970 146.3720 150.4070 ] >> endobj 34 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (https://give-usw.salvationarmy.org/give/229662/#!/donation/checkout) >> endobj 35 0 obj << /Type /Annot /Subtype /Link /F 28 /A 36 0 R /Border [0 0 0] /H /I /Rect [ 249.7640 108.8930 392.4800 121.1030 ] >> endobj 36 0 obj << /Type /Action /S /URI /URI (https://course.caringmagazine.org) >> endobj xref 0 37 0000000000 65535 f 0000000009 00000 n 0000000074 00000 n 0000000120 00000 n 0000000447 00000 n 0000000484 00000 n 0000000633 00000 n 0000000736 00000 n 0000002403 00000 n 0000002510 00000 n 0000002618 00000 n 0000002728 00000 n 0000002841 00000 n 0000002961 00000 n 0000003077 00000 n 0000003106 00000 n 0000007529 00000 n 0000007588 00000 n 0000007647 00000 n 0000007676 00000 n 0000007781 00000 n 0000010177 00000 n 0000010234 00000 n 0000010291 00000 n 0000010443 00000 n 0000013110 00000 n 0000013244 00000 n 0000013333 00000 n 0000013393 00000 n 0000013423 00000 n 0000013557 00000 n 0000013659 00000 n 0000013792 00000 n 0000013905 00000 n 0000014038 00000 n 0000014157 00000 n 0000014291 00000 n trailer << /Size 37 /Root 1 0 R /Info 5 0 R /ID[] >> startxref 14376 %%EOF My calling during COVID-19: Love others | Caring Magazine
Read Caring Magazine Volume 29

Vol. #29

Hope in Action

Read Issue

Latest Impact StoriesView All

Popular Topics

PopularView All

Hands together forming heart

My calling during COVID-19: Love others

byJeff Walters, Lt.
May 27, 2020
5 minute read
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Listen to this article

A Scripture study from Caring, part four of four.

Love isn’t easy, especially when the entire world is being asked to isolate themselves due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is no secret that the global crisis which ensued from this virus threw a wrench into the plans and function of millions of churches. Why? Because churches gather. This is how they love one another and edify. 

Yet, love is a command from God. It defines his church. When love is hard, but then it becomes even harder due to social isolation, how do we proceed? Something that already necessitates work, energy, sacrifice, devotion, commitment and perseverance has suddenly become more glaringly necessary during the COVID-19 era and for the generations to come.  

Behind the scenes: Love matters

In his last intimate moment with his disciples, Jesus pulled no punches in displaying how much self-giving love mattered to him and to his kingdom. Alone, fellowshipping with the original group that would spring on to become the church, Jesus gave the command to love. This, following a display of love in washing their feet. 

Jesus said in John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

Love is faithful and benevolent self-giving to a person. In the Bible, love is the central attribute of God, the primary fruit of the followers of God, and the defining characteristic of the kingdom of God announced in Jesus. Jesus commands it. Love matters—a lot. This is a calling for all Christians. No matter your vocation or skill sets. No matter which denomination you prefer. All are called to love, because Jesus commands the church to love (and this will reveal who are his disciples). 

An important note to consider here is the definition of what it means to be the “church.” The early church has been well studied and scholars know one thing for sure about its early success. It succeeded exponentially because the church expressed love practically and powerfully. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a supernaturally loving community where everyone has your back? 

Back then, the poor flocked to the church. The Roman soldiers joined in the thousands. Even the intellectuals couldn’t resist it. In this fledgling movement one could find what everyone is always looking for but what the world doesn’t offer (without something in return): love.

Thus, the church is composed of those who are called out to love like Jesus. This kind of love will draw the masses. Nothing is more appealing than the love of God. But to what extent do we love?

Beyond the surface: How you love matters

Read what Scripture says in Galatians 5:6.

Forget the religious stuff. Our faith must express itself in love. How love is expressed matters. As we reflect on the moment Jesus washed his disciples’ feet in the upper room, it should be noted that this was no sanitary or prestigious affair (just in case you were wondering). Washing feet was, as it sounds, an act of total humility and certainly not an exercise for the kingly. Yet, Jesus went there. He stooped down, kneeled before his own students, and exemplified love in the smelliest way. 

Also, keep in mind that Jesus could have exemplified love in many other ways, but he chose this version. Walking in sandals on the dusty, dirty roads of Israel during the first century made it imperative that the traveler’s feet be washed before a communal meal since people reclined at the table and feet were exposed. 

The washing of the feet, though, was the job of a servant, not the Messiah. So when the Anointed One, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, takes the position of a servant in an act of love, there is a lesson to be learned. This is how Jesus chose to show his love. Furthermore, he went to the cross to express God’s love for all people. If “how” Jesus expressed love mattered then, we certainly should review “how” we express our love for others today.

Reflect on that: 

  • What are some unique ways to express love toward others during the COVID-19 era?
  • In which ways has social distancing positively or negatively affected your ability to express love the way you prefer?
  • How do we express love going forward?

Beyond the surface: Who you love matters

Read what Scripture says in Matthew 5:43-48.

As a Christian, it can be easy to play the role and love only those who can reciprocate your actions. Furthermore, it can be very tempting to love others only for applause. During the age of COVID-19, it may have been (or continue to be) a challenge to love those outside of your close circle of friends whom you have regular contact with via social media. Meanwhile, there are individuals and families living on the streets, many of whom have been socially isolated for years. 

Whether it’s the homeless, the outcasts of society, the prisoners, or especially certain people online—who you love matters. We are called to love indiscriminately. So let us be like Jesus and love everyone. Such love will shine beyond the barriers of any pandemic or disaster.

Between the lines

If you’re like me, and you’re hoping for some concrete ideas on how to fulfill the calling to love others during this wild chapter in history, here are three ways you can respond:

Lift the broken, enlarge the small and favor the weak. 

But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”(Matt. 19:14).

Have patience with each other.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other (Col. 3:12-13).

Be generous.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts… (Acts 2:44-46)

May we be a church that responds to the calling to love. You might be surprised what kind of miracles you’ll see when you do.

Sign up for the Do Good Digest, our weekly newsletter, and stay tuned for a new study of Scripture.

Do Good: 

Download this page as a PDF

Comments are closed.

You May Also Like