Have you heard of a circular reference? If you have, you might be a computer programmer or web application developer. It is a term used to describe computer code in two different places within a program that refer to each other and nothing else. If by chance that code starts executing, it stays in a continuous loop.
Seems odd to start a devotional with techie talk, isn’t it? But take a look at today’s passage and see if the term doesn’t apply. If we are willing to step into the command, we step into a continuous loop—a good one.
If your computer code has a circular reference, things can turn bad really quick. In fact, the only way to get out of it is to abort the program and you may need to restart your computer. Termination is the only way to stop it.
When we step into the circular reference in today’s passage, it works much the same way. Satan knows that’s the case and he is constantly trying to keep us away from it or cause us to abort the cycle. He doesn’t want us in this continuous loop.
It should be an interim goal of ours to step into this continuous loop. We should be seeking a way to put our lives into the circular reference. Why? It is the ultimate continuous improvement program. I’m sure many of you have heard of those as well.
We are told that love for Jesus is to obey His commands. His command is to love. We step into this continuous loop by loving Jesus. Our love for Him causes us to obey Him. By obeying Him we love, not only Him, but His creation, which includes everything and everyone.
The continuous improvement plan of God is one that starts and ends with love. Our love grows, becoming more mature as we obey His commands. This is a continuous improvement plan our world could use right now.
I pray we all choose to love Jesus. I pray we step into God’s continuous improvement plan. I pray each one of us decide to obey God’s commands. Love God. Love Jesus. Obey God’s commands. Step into the continuous loop. Choose God’s continuous improvement plan.
2 John 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Marty Pressey 