Sometimes…

Hello All,

Sometimes the bitterness of life brings out the sweetness of the love and kindness of a friend.

If we had a choice, we would rather have a life without a trace of bitterness, hardships, and heartbreaks.

But sometimes it is during the most painful moments of your life that the love and kindness of a friend are most evident.

Sometimes…

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling

Sometimes

Bitterness brings out the sweetness

Of a friend, whose love and kindness

Surpass the bitterness of pain

And shelter our souls from the rain

Sometimes

Bitterness brings out the sweetness

Of God’s love, whose grace and goodness

Surpass the bitterness of grief

And help our hearts find relief

Sometimes

Bitterness brings out the sweetness

Of the cross, where Christ, the Sinless

Took on the bitterness of shame

And rescued our souls from the flame

Sometimes

Bitterness brings out the sweetness

Of a friend, whose love and kindness

Reflect the perfect love of God

Though they are imperfect and flawed

Points for Reflection:

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

(John 15:12-14 ESV)

·       A friend whom you feel safe sharing your struggles with and who constantly points you to Christ is indeed a great blessing from God.

·       Despite the imperfections of our friends, their love is a reflection of God’s perfect love.

·       Jesus Christ is the perfect Friend. He laid down His life so that sinners like us, who were once God’s enemies, can be reconciled to God as His friends.

·       Because Jesus has laid down His life for us, we are told to lay down our lives for our friends. We cannot die the death that Jesus died to save sinners, for we ourselves are sinners in need of saving. But we can die to our selfish desires to live for ourselves. We can put the needs of others before ours in wholehearted service and sacrifice.

·       Who are the friends that you can be showing God’s love to? How can you mirror God’s love to them? Who can you be reaching out to today?