Healing Hearts with Love

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT)

As I read this passage from the Book of John, I scratched my head, my brow furrowed in confusion, and exclaimed, “What’chu talkin’ ‘bout, Jesus?”

I felt a little like Arnold, a character from the 1979-1988 sitcom Different Strokes, when he questioned his big brother, Willis.

Throughout the day, I pondered these words of Jesus. I thought about the great works he had done. Works like walking on water, turning water to wine, giving sight to the blind, healing lepers, and raising the dead, just to name a few. I told him I didn’t know anyone who had done anything remotely as great as these!

I admitted that I knew he was not a liar but wondered how to make sense of his words. What did it mean that we would do the works that he had done, and “even greater works”? Was it possible that my idea of greatness was a little—or even a lot—off?

First Corinthians 13 came to mind: “The greatest of these is love.” This chapter teaches that even if we do things that look spectacular, impressive, or great to others without love, they don’t amount to anything.

Jesus, I prayed, if love is the greatest work, what exactly does that look like?

To my spirit, he seemed to say, It looks pretty plain most of the time. In fact, it can go quite unnoticed by the world. It often looks like patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and grace. The one to whom you are extending these may not even be aware.

No bells, no whistles, no recognition, no praise.

These acts of love will flow in you and through you as you learn to believe, receive, and rest in my love for you. Breathe in my love, and you will exhale my love. It will become a natural part of who you are. In fact, you may not even be aware!

I told him I wasn’t sure I understood, but I wanted to.

Are you aware of every breath you take? No? That’s how it will be with the works I do through you.

I will give you eyes to see the needs of others, and I will give you a heart of compassion toward them. You will see the hungry and feed them. You will see the lonely and invite them in. You will see the brokenhearted and comfort them. You will see and you will do, but you will not do out of a sense of obligation. It won’t be a checklist or a way to earn my affection or your worth. You will simply be compelled by love. You will love when you have known my love for you.

Dear one, do you know how much I love you? Do you know you are my greatest treasure? Do you know that there is nothing that can or ever will separate you from my love? Once you are rooted and grounded in this knowing, the doing will take care of itself.

So you see, there is no need to focus on the doing of great works. I want you to simply accept my unconditional, extravagant, and perfect love. Try not to put expectations on what my love will look like because that will hinder you from receiving what I give. My love may not look the way you want or think it should. It may not look big. In fact, it may seem small. But small doesn’t mean it isn’t significant or powerful.

Jesus reminded me that love isn’t always flashy.

 Remember, when I was with the disciples, I did some pretty ordinary things. I walked with them. I talked to them. I ate with them. I listened to them. I laughed with them. I taught them about the heart of my Father and corrected their wrong ideas of him. I showed them compassion and patience. I forgave them and accepted them. I didn’t physically heal any of them, but I did heal their hearts. This is what I want to do for you—I want to heal your heart so that love will flow without obstruction to everyone you meet along the way. And your love will heal other wounded hearts.

Healing hearts with love! How much greater does it get?

(For further study see: John 5:19; John 6:29; John 8:28; John 13:34-35; John 14:10, 15; John 15:9-17, Romans 8:38-39, I John 4:19; Matthew 25:35-40; Ephesians 3:17-19)

Amy Chumbley is a recovering religious addict who began writing as a form of therapy. Her work has been published in several online magazines including: She Loves, Perennial Gen, The Glorious Table, The Grit and Grace Project, and more. Her business, Breathing Room Interiors, has given her the opportunity to pursue her passion for creating beautiful and functional homes. She is a military spouse, proud mama, and dog lover.

Photograph © Rod Long, used with permission