Love That Shows Up
- Lauren Calloway
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Motivated & Anchored – Week of Love By Lauren Calloway
As I wrap up this week’s Motivated & Anchored series, I want to share something deeply personal—because one thing I know about God is this: He never lets me minister what I haven’t first had to walk through myself. And this week, I had to walk through love.
I had to step back from someone I love. There’s no anger. No hate. Just grief, reflection, and hope that maybe—if it’s God’s will—our paths will realign in the future. But even if they don’t, love remains.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”—1 Corinthians 13:7–8a (NKJV)
God keeps giving me opportunities to practice what I preach and preach what I practice. Love is not easy. It’s not always equal. It’s not transactional. Sometimes, it means holding space for someone who isn’t able to show up for you in return. That’s the kind of love Jesus gives—and that’s the kind of love we’re called to reflect.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
We live in a culture that says, “If they don’t meet your expectations, cut them off.” But biblical love doesn’t work that way. Love doesn’t come with conditions, ultimatums, or scorecards. Love meets people where they are and chooses them without demand.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”—John 13:34–35 (NKJV)
Let’s be honest—it’s hard. It stretches your ego. It calls out your selfishness. It demands a level of sacrifice that’s only possible when your heart is surrendered to God. But if we are vessels of His love, we can’t pick and choose who is “worthy” of it.
“Above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’”—1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
We’re surrounded by people hungry to be seen, validated, and valued. Social media screams, “Look at me!” But God sees you in your unseen places. And He honors the small, unseen sacrifices.
“Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”—Matthew 6:4 (NKJV)
You matter when you're cooking dinner. You’re valuable when you serve your community. You are enough even when no one is clapping. Our identity and worth are not found in applause, but in alignment with the Father.
“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”—Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)
I don’t say this as someone who has it all figured out. I’ve messed up. I’ve hurt people. But because I’ve received mercy, I extend mercy. Because I’ve been loved in my mess, I choose to love others in theirs.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”—Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)
This is the gospel. Love that doesn’t run. Love that covers. Love that stays.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”—John 15:13 (NKJV)
A Heart Check Prayer:
“Lord, how can I love more like You?Where is my heart posture off?Who do You want me to show up for this week?Help me be love in motion.”
We are the human race. One body. One family. Let’s start loving like we believe that.
Because Jesus didn’t just love me once.He loves me always.And I want to live that way too.
Want more weekly encouragement?Join the Motivated & Anchored series every Monday—where we combine real talk, biblical truth, and a space to grow in faith and purpose together.
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