Take Time to Realize

Sometimes, I listen to the Coffee House channel in the car. I like the softer, ballad and relaxing music for my long commutes when I'm not listening to a favorite podcast. So many times a phrase jumps out at me and touches me with something I need to hear. Now, the whole song may not apply such as unrequited love, a breakup…..you know how it goes with songs. The other day a Colbie Caillat song came on, "Realize," and the phrase "Take time to realize" settled in my mind. Here's where it has taken me.

Definition of realize: to become fully aware of something (a fact, situation or its significance). Synonyms: discover, recognize, comprehend, notice.

1 - Discover "Pursue Love"

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." — 1 Corinthians 14:1

St. John Chrysostom writes about this verse that one should "chase" and "make every effort" to retain the love of God. To find this love one "strains himself, and leaves not off until he lay hold of it." I would liken this to discovering God's love through relationship with Him. It is our unceasing work here on earth of prayer, time in His word — the Bible, attending services, and an openness to hearing and seeing Him throughout our days. As our discovery of His love expands, we will want and fall into spiritual gifts. As we learn through our relationship with God we will also start to realize the extent of God's great love.

2 - Discover "God is Love"

"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." — 1 John 4:8

As our relationship with God expands, the more we recognize that He is love and His love is more than we can comprehend! The OSB commentary says "God is love is not a definition of who God is, but rather describes His relationship to us as our Father." It is through our relationship with God that we learn to love. As we grow in our love with Him, the better able we are to share love with others.

3 - Comprehend "Love one Another"

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." — 1 John 4:7

Hopefully, each day brings us closer to God and we begin to have a deeper relationship with Him. I say closer, because God is so great, vast and incomprehensible to our earthly perspective, that we can never know Him fully. But, the relationship we foster with Him can bring us to knowing His great love for each and everyone on earth. It is through accepting this love of His that we become ever more capable of extending our love to one another.

4 - Notice "One Body - Many Parts"

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ." — 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." — 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

As we love one another, we notice that we all play different roles in His ministry and in the world. We are all unique, with different attributes, skills, and personalities. Each one of us works together to form a whole. Through it all, God's love lifts us and encourages us to carry on.

When we take the time to discover God, recognize Him and His love, we can comprehend the importance of sharing His love with others and in the process notice the individuals that make up His church body.

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love." — 1 Corinthians 13:13

Take time to realize — God is Love!

In His love,

Dana (Paisia)

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 Originally published in the Holy Apostles E-bulletin. Subscribe here.