I once heard someone ask, “How do you spell love?”

Seems simple, doesn’t it? L-O-V-E. “No,” they said. “You spell it T-I-M-E.”*

Technically you don’t spell love like that. But they were obviously making a point: One way you can give someone your love is to give them your time.

It’s a powerful message in a world where love is lacking and time is short. #TooBusy

Jesus clearly tells his disciples to “love one another” (John 13:34). And in 1 Corinthians 13:4 Paul writes that “Love is patient.” To me that’s about more than putting up with someone; it’s about putting in the time.

A few years ago I talked about this with some of the young people at our church. They said that you could give your time to someone by playing with them or doing chores. They also said you could give your time to Jesus by praying, by reading the Bible, by going to church, by doing family devotionals, and by helping others.

Look at the people around you. Or look at your relationship with God. Sometimes love is easier than you think.

One way you can give someone your love is to give them your time.

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Notes:

–Sermon on John 15:1-17: “Tarrying with a Lord you cannot see.” Click here to watch or listen.

–Today’s devotional was originally published on January 8, 2019.

–*I have lost the original source of this quote, but it was found in: Timothy Keiningham and Lerzan Aksoy, Why Loyalty Matters: The Groundbreaking Approach to Rediscovering Happiness, Meaning and Lasting Fulfillment in Your Life and Work (Dallas: BenBella, 2009).

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.