What God's Love Feels Like

She could spot the look a mile away.

The young woman standing anxiously by the door was new. New to the community. New to following God. New to a life filled with love.

Her clothes were torn and dirty. Her feet were black from the dirt and lack of sandals. Her dark eyes kept glancing over to the food piled high on the table.

She walked over to the young women. "Hello." Warmth filled her heart at the startled look the young woman gave her.

"I'm new!" The young woman blurted out. "Some of the others told me to come here. I told them it wasn't necessary, but they insisted...." Her voice trailed off.

She placed her hand gently on the other woman's shoulder. "It's good that you came. You're welcome here. You're apart of the family now." The woman gave her a dubious look. "Really. We take care of each other. Once you're apart of God's family, you're apart of this family. Now let's get you some food."

Based on Acts 2:42-47

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47

Can you feel the love?

I'm completely serious. These poured themselves into each other. Everything they had, they were giving. They took care of each other. They loved on each other, regardless of all else.

Do you have a group of people like that? Family? Church? Even a close friend across the country? Do you have your community of God people who always pour into your life? This isn't a "go to church" message. This is a "don't go it alone" message.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:10

You weren't designed to shoulder the weight of this world by yourself. God made friends, spouses, churches, and family for us so we could lean on each other. We were designed to pour our lives into others. We were designed to give our all for love.

I love this song. LOVE IT! I love the line, "Empty never felt so full." That's what I think of when I read the account of the believers in Acts 2. They were emptying their lives out into each other, but they were full. They were blessed. They were a group of people who knew what God's love felt like.

Do you know what it feels like? If not, you need to be with a group of people who does. Your life will never be the same.

V. Joy Palmer