One practical way that love expresses itself is by our presence with others when we are actually with them. It seems to be the case more and more that whenever my wife and I go out on a date, we notice other couples in the room sitting at the same table staring intently into the World Wide Web on their cell phone. The glow of the smart-device covers their face and the concentration and devotion they exhibit towards whatever they are looking at is obvious. However, it looks rather odd to see two people at the same table staring into two devices and spending a significant amount of time not talking to one another. I often wonder if they are unable to talk and send one another text messages to communicate. It seems that this sort of ailment is occurring more and more these days. And myself am not innocent.
In reflecting on the implications of the gospel, we would do well to love one another and give to one another our full and constant attention. As Kingdom citizens we display the patient, listening ear of the King as we listen and patiently involve ourselves in the lives of those sitting across the table from us. Some might call this “active listening,” I call it actually being where you are. Just as our heavenly Father listens to us and answers to help us (2 Cor. 6:2) so we reflect his presence with us as we listen and answer well those we are in conversation with. Read more
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