January 20
Living Out Love
in Action
“So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 (NIrV)
Jared pulled into the parking lot of the homeless shelter, his hands gripping the steering wheel. He stared at the building, a mix of anxiety and doubt churning in his heart.
It had been his friend Naomi who first suggested he volunteer. “You’ve been looking for a way to grow spiritually,” she’d said. “Why not spend time serving others?” Jared wanted to help, but he couldn’t shake the nagging voice in his head: What if I’m not good enough to make a difference?
Walking inside, Jared was met with the bustling sounds of the shelter. Volunteers sorted donations while others served hot meals. Jared was paired with Marcus, a seasoned volunteer who guided him through preparing dinner.
At first, Jared felt out of place. He didn’t know what to say to the guests who came through the line, and he worried about making mistakes. But as the night went on, he began to notice the smiles and gratitude of the people he served. One older man, Thomas, struck up a conversation with Jared about his favorite foods and told him how much he appreciated the warm meal.
As Jared drove home, he felt a sense of peace but also a pang of conviction. The verse Naomi had shared earlier that week rang in his mind: “Be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Jared realized that perfection wasn’t about doing everything right—it was about striving to love like God loves.
The next week, Jared returned to the shelter. This time, he greeted the guests with more confidence, offering words of encouragement and a listening ear. One evening, after finishing his shift, he prayed, “Lord, help me reflect Your love more each day. Show me how to grow in compassion and humility.”
Over time, volunteering became less about what Jared could give and more about how he could grow in God’s likeness. Each act of service, no matter how small, was a step toward the perfection Jesus called him to—living out God’s love in tangible ways.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to be more like You.
Help us to reflect Your love in our actions, even when we feel uncertain or inadequate.
Teach us to serve others with humility, compassion, and joy.
Like Jared, may we find peace and purpose in striving to live as You desire.
Strengthen us in our journey to grow in faith, knowing You are with us every step of the way.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
