There are people who keep a tally. They know who does what for them and they have high expectations of some people. So if someone brings them something, they get a good mark. If they don’t visit enough, they get marks deducted. If they don’t get things done in a timely manner, another bad mark. In this system, it is as if the people in their lives are just there to serve – to do what they want when they want. They measure love by the number of good actions verses the number of bad. It isn’t as if they show the scores – so others really never know how they are ranking. It is shown in comments and in not so pleasant attitudes (or maybe in special favor).
It may sound crazy, but I would dare say there are more people keeping tally than we would like to admit. There is the “good child” or the “good friend”. All is based on actions or lack thereof. The problem is this isn’t love, at least it isn’t God’s love. In the description of love we are given, we are told that love is not self-seeking and keeps no records of wrongs. That almost seems out of reach – especially if we “keep score”. Our natural tendency often is to seek what is best for us. We note when someone does something we do not like. It’s almost like we are in school and we don’t earn enough stars – except unlike school, the board never gets erased and we don’t get a clean start.
Thankfully, God models real, genuine love for us. Since God is love, he teaches us what it is to love. He doesn’t keep record of our wrongs. We are told he casts our sins as far as the east is from the west. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Let’s face it – we couldn’t do enough good things anyway. We cannot earn God’s love. We are simply given his love – even if we feel like our board is full of bad marks.
God isn’t keeping score. He sent Jesus to wipe the slate clean. He simply loves us. Wouldn’t it be powerful if we followed his example and simply loved? What a difference we might make if we stopped keeping score and started loving like God!
Focus Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:5
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 