Love in Action: Reaching Out to God's People

July 13, 2026

The feeding of the five thousand with a few loaves a fish was an amazing miracle, but it would be even more amazing if accomplished today. Can you imagine the concerns raised by the congregation? They might declare, “I can’t eat that, I’m a vegan”, or “Has that fish been tested for mercury?”, or “Is that bread gluten free? Is it organic? Non-GMO?” or “This is incredible, but can we get some tartar sauce?”

Jesus had just fed thousands with a few loaves and fish. The crowd was excited and wanted to make Him king. But Jesus saw their hearts. He told them, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:26-27). The people were looking for what Jesus could do for them, not for Jesus Himself. This is a danger we still face today. It is easy to seek God’s blessings while missing God’s heart for His people.

The Bible is clear that loving God and loving people are connected. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Real love always reaches out. It moves toward people rather than waiting for them to come to us.

One powerful picture of this kind of love is found in Exodus 33. Moses would pitch a tent outside the camp and call it the “Tent of Meeting.” Anyone who wanted to seek the Lord could go there. Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and the Lord would speak with him face to face, as one speaks to a friend. The people stood at their tent doors and worshiped as they watched. That simple tent became a place where God met His people in the middle of ordinary life.

This same heart of love and outreach should mark the church today. Instead of waiting for people to come to us on Sunday mornings, we are called to go where people already are. Whether it is a community event, a neighborhood gathering, a park, or even a temporary tent set up at a local store, the goal is the same: create space for people to encounter the living God. When we love God’s people enough to reach out to them, we become part of His work of drawing hearts to Himself.

For years, our congregation would run a fireworks tent to raise money for youth ministry and missions. We saw it as a chance to bring the Gospel to the Walmart parking lot. If customers expressed a need we would pray with them. We held worship in the tent the Sunday before the Fourth of July, and invited everyone to come join us.

Love that reaches out is often inconvenient. It requires time, energy, and sometimes stepping outside our comfort zones. But it is worth it. When we pray for others, listen to their stories, and show genuine care, we are living out the love of Christ. We do not need elaborate programs. We need willing hearts that say, “Here I am, Lord. Use me to love someone today.”

This week, look for opportunities to love God’s people and reach out to them. It might be inviting a neighbor for coffee, praying for a coworker, or simply smiling and striking up a conversation with someone who seems lonely. Small acts of love can open big doors for the Gospel. As we love others the way Jesus loved us, we become living invitations to experience the God who meets us in the middle of ordinary life.

Is there someone God is calling you to reach out to this week? What holds you back from loving people who are different from you? When have you seen a simple act of love open someone’s heart to God? How can you create your own “tent of meeting” that is a place where people can encounter God’s love through you?

The same Jesus who fed the multitudes and spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) still wants to meet people today. He often does so through His followers who are willing to go where people are and love them right there. May we be that kind of people, people who love God so much that we cannot help but love His people and reach out to them. (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional. Check out my podcast on YouTube, called “My Faith Journey”).