While reading and meditating on Matthew chapter 24, a memory from my early twenties came to mind.  I was at a party sitting on a couch hovering on the inebriated side of too much wine. Gathered at my feet was a group of teenagers.  I was sharing with them how love was the answer to all the world’s problems, and that God was the source of love.  Ah, the gifts and callings were there even in the early years.  So why am I sharing this?  To my surprise, the message in my heart hasn’t changed. 

Jesus in Matthew 24, when telling his disciples about the end times, made this statement. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”  Can you imagine what it will be like when the love of most has grown cold?  I see a lack of love every day, but I also see a lot of love being displayed.  What will happen when most of it is gone?  Love is the stabilizing factor that keeps our world in balance.

The good news is that we who know love are encouraged to stand firm.  Keep on loving.  Jesus said that during this time, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world…”  In the darkest of times, love will still exist in the hearts of those who believe.  Love will still be the answer to the world’s problems.

I pray for love to ever increase in my heart and for all of us who believe.  As wickedness increases, let us counter with a greater expression of God’s love by the power of his Holy Spirit in us.