Reach Out

"Let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

Reach Out

This week's devotions are written by my son, Bryant Forshee, Lead Student Pastor for Cross Church, Springdale, AR campus.

- Pastor Danny

"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

(1 John 3:18, NLT)

Technology is pretty amazing isn't it? It is wild to think that at either a few taps on a screen or asking Siri to call someone, you can be in communication with someone anywhere around the world within the span of a few seconds! Technology is also incredible because you can see what is going on in the lives of your friends through different social media apps. If you are like me, over the past couple weeks, your feeds have been filled with many fun posts from Christmas and New Year's Eve. There have been countless posts about all the highs from 2023 and joys of family and the Christmas season.

Technology is something that can certainly allow us to feel connected in the highs, but what I want us all to think about today as well are those who may have had a hard holiday season. Maybe this holiday season, a friend or relative of yours lost a loved one, or this was their first Christmas season without a particular loved one. Maybe this time of year reminded a friend or a relative of a long-passed loved one because of how much that person loved Christmas. With just as much joy and happiness that the holiday season brings, there is grief and sadness because of hard times or lost loved ones.

What if today you put 1 John 3:18 into action with the help of technology? What if you thought of someone to reach out to and then asked them how they are doing in light of their loss or hard times? Is this awkward? Absolutely! But I believe that it is living out 1 John 3:18 so beautifully. This verse tells us to show our love through actions to one another. If they are a dear friend or family member who you love, then love them through the hard times just as much as the good times. I know in my life there is a dear friend who lost a very special someone in his life in early January. Every year, I reach out to him on this date and say that I am praying for him and ask how he is doing. I am not trying to open up old wounds, I am wanting him to know that as a friend and brother in Christ, I am thinking about him and praying for him.

So today, would you utilize the amazing aspects of technology that keep us all connected and call or text someone who may have had a tougher holiday season to let them know you are praying for them and are there to listen to them? Would you be willing to maybe face a little awkward moment to show that person that you love them? Will you live out 1 John 3:18 today?