The Connection Corner

Be Known by Love

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

The camp hall was alive with the sound of teenagers sharing their thoughts, struggles, and deepest questions. Their bell-bottom jeans brushed the floor; a girl with a braided headband tucked her knees to her chest.

A lanky boy with thick-rimmed glasses blurted out what everyone was thinking. “If love is supposed to fix everything, why does it feel like nothing changes?”

Their youth pastor, Peter Scholtes, had been listening from the back. As he stepped toward the wooden podium, he took a breath. He had no easy answer.

Outside the retreat, the world seemed fractured beyond repair. Tensions flared in the streets, communities splintered over ideologies. Even the church was not immune to the division. These teens carried that weight with them, and their confusion mirrored his own.

“I think,” he said slowly, “that the kind of love most people talk about is too small. But the love God calls us to? That’s the kind of love that can change everything.”

Hours later, after the teens went to bed, Peter sat alone in the makeshift chapel. The dim lights flickered, and the hum of cicadas filtered through the windows as he thought about their questions.

What could he give them—something that pointed to a love stronger than hate? He wasn’t trying to solve the world’s problems, but he felt compelled to give them something enduring. Pulling out a notebook, he began to write:

“We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

The next morning, as the group sang the new hymn, the room seemed to change. Their voices wove together in a harmony that felt like hope.

Today, that same love still has the power to speak into the confusion and disillusionment of our lives. When the world feels too divided, too harsh, or too broken, remember that love is not passive. It is active, deliberate, and often sacrificial. Where can you choose to show that kind of love today? Who in your life needs to see God’s love through you?

February 9, 2025/by David Hall

Unlock Happiness by Helping Others

Daily Devotional

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Galatians 5:13

The hallway looked like a rainbow had exploded. Balloons were everywhere—floating near the ceiling, wedged in corners, and rolling under people’s feet.

Moments earlier, the high school professor had issued a challenge: blow up a balloon, write your name on it, and toss it into the hallway.

“Now, go find your own,” he said with a grin.

What began as a fun, lighthearted exercise quickly spiraled into frustration. Students shoved past one another, scanning the floor and peering into the sea of color.

When time ran out, the professor clapped his hands. “Stop!” he said. “Let’s try something different. Pick up the first balloon you find and give it to the person whose name is on it.”

The shift was instantaneous. Students began reading names, calling them out, and making eye contact as they handed balloons to their rightful owners. Everywhere around young people were laughing, feeling relieved, and expressing gratitude.

With everyone settled, the professor explained, “These balloons are a lot like happiness. When you chase it for yourself, you often come up empty. But when you help others, joy comes to you.”

Isn’t that the heart of love? Life can feel like a mad dash to grasp what we think will fulfill us. Yet love invites us to pause, notice others, and give. God’s design is simple yet profound: joy is found in serving others.

Today, someone near you is searching. Maybe it is the cashier at the grocery store, a friend walking through a hard season, or a stranger who looks like they could use a kind word. Will you help them find their “balloon” today?

February 8, 2025/by Linda Meyers

Courageous Friendship

Daily Devotional

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

The open field beyond the castle stretches before him, quiet and still, yet Jonathan’s mind races. Gripping his bow, he draws the string back, steadying his aim. He sends the arrow soaring past the stone marker where his friend David hides.

The message of the arrow is clear: Run! it is not safe to return.

Minutes later, Jonathan and David meet in the clearing, their faces shadowed with grief. The danger is inescapable. King Saul, Jonathan’s father, has vowed to kill David. Yet here stands Jonathan, risking everything to save his closest friend.

Jonathan pulls off his cloak and hands it to David, followed by his weapons.

“Go in peace,” he whispers, despite the lump in his throat.

David’s eyes glisten with unshed tears as he grips Jonathan’s arm one last time before vanishing into the wilderness.

Friendship, at its best, looks a lot like Jonathan and David’s. As Israel’s prince, Jonathan had every reason to cling to his position and power, yet here he chooses David’s good above personal gain. He chose to stand in the gap to save David’s life though it would cost him greatly.

What might it look like to love like that today? Perhaps it means offering encouragement when someone feels lost or stepping aside to let someone else shine. When you lift others above yourself, you reflect a love that transforms hearts and points to something far greater.

February 7, 2025/by David Hall