Put on Love

You're probably aware of the friendship books that circulate, in which everyone of your friends shares something about themselves and you. On my 50th birthday, I – Anne-Minke Hakvoort – received such a friendship book. My children had asked 50 people what their favorite memory of me was and what they wished for me. It is a fantastic book! It looks back on my life and asks, how do others remember me? What legacy do I want to leave behind? At the same time, it anticipates the years ahead.

How would you like to be remembered? What do you think is important to leave with the people in your life? Every day is a new opportunity to sow, plant, and water. In fact, it is simple: live in peace and put on love. In Colossians 3, Paul describes it concisely: "As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another (...). Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another. (…)And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’ Read the chapter over quietly and let each verse sink in.

‘And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Such lovely words as love, peace, and joy. Because God is love, we continue in love. He lavishes His love on us so that we might share it widely. Let us live in such a way that others remember us for the love we have for one another, the peace we strive for, the patience we have for one another, and the forgiveness we have for one another. After all, we are God’s chosen saints and beloved ones! So let us live as such.