February is a month where the world talks a lot about love. But what if we, as Christ-followers, took that conversation beyond words and into action? What if we demonstrated love the way Jesus did—through serving others with intentionality and compassion?
In 1 John 3:18, we are reminded, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” That’s a rallying cry! Love isn’t just about feelings; it’s about what we do. The kind of love Jesus calls us to is hands-on, real-world, life-changing service.
How Individuals Can Show Love in Service
Each of us has the capacity to impact lives in ways that are simple yet powerful. Here are some practical ways to live out love:
- Check on a Neighbour – A simple visit, phone call, or offer to help with errands can show genuine care.
- Write Encouraging Notes – Handwritten messages to shut-ins, hospital patients, or those in homes for senior citizens can lift weary hearts.
- Pay It Forward – Cover someone’s meal or groceries as a way to bless them unexpectedly.
- Volunteer – Give your time at an outreach programme, a Salvation Army Centre, or a local community project. Presence matters!
- Listen and Pray – Never underestimate the power of being a listening ear and praying with someone.
- Support Families in Need – Assist single parents, child-headed families, or those going through financial hardship.
How Corps and Centres Can Show Love in Service
Our Corps and Centre ministries have the potential to be powerhouses of love in action. Here are some ways to mobilize for impact:
- Community Meal Outreach – Serve a meal to those who need it most. People need food, but they also need connection.
- Love in Action Week – Set aside time for the entire Corps to engage in practical service projects.
- Evangelism Through Service – Share the Gospel by offering free car washes and leaving a tract on the car, handing out cup cakes, distributing flyers with a treat and a Scripture at traffic lights, or giving care packages to the homeless.
- Support school children – Let the Corps be a safe space for children to attend after-school programmes, or mentor students.
- Host a ‘Day of Love’ Event – Offer free haircuts, medical check-ups, and counseling services at the Corps in Jesus’ name.
Love in Service Reflects Christ
Here’s the bottom line: Love is not passive. It’s active. It changes lives. When we step up and serve, we become the tangible expression of Christ’s love in a broken world. Mark 10:45 reminds us, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” That’s the model we follow.
Let’s make this February more than just another month. Let’s make it a movement—one where we love relentlessly, serve boldly, and watch God work in ways we never imagined. Who’s in?