Daily Devotions for Monday, January 19, 2026: The Heavy Lifting of Love

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The Daily Devotional

Monday, January 19, 2026

The Heavy Lifting of Love

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” — Ephesians 4:2

Introduction

Welcome to the second day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today, the Apostle Paul issues a challenge that goes to the very heart of human relationships. Writing to the church in Ephesus, he moves beyond abstract theology to the gritty reality of community life. He reminds us that our "calling" isn't just a vertical relationship with God; it is played out horizontally in how we treat our neighbors. Unity, Paul suggests, is not found in uniformity of thought, but in the shared practice of four specific virtues: humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance.

Reflection

The phrase "bearing with one another" is a dynamic, active instruction. In the original Greek, it implies holding something up or enduring something substantial. It acknowledges a simple truth: people can be heavy. Our differences, our quirks, and our disagreements add weight to our relationships.

Consider the experience of helping a friend move a large, heavy sofa up a winding flight of stairs. It is an awkward, straining task. You cannot move at your own sprint; you are tethered to the pace of the person on the other end. If they stumble, you cannot just let go, or the whole thing crashes. You have to communicate, you have to adjust your grip, and you have to be patient with their limitations. If you simply demand they move faster or lift higher than they are able, the task fails.

Christian unity is much like moving that furniture. It requires the "muscle" of humility to admit we don't have all the answers. It requires the grip of gentleness to handle fragile situations without causing damage. And it requires the endurance of patience to keep holding on to our brothers and sisters, even when the weight of our differences feels exhausting. Paul tells us that love is the strength that allows us to keep lifting, even when we want to let go.

Application

We all have "sandpaper people" in our lives—individuals whose personalities or viewpoints grate against ours. Today, instead of avoiding that person or preparing a mental argument to correct them, try to simply "bear" with them. Choose one of the virtues Paul lists—humility, gentleness, or patience—and apply it to that specific relationship. Perhaps it means listening without interrupting (patience), validating their feelings even if you disagree with their conclusion (gentleness), or admitting that you might not see the whole picture (humility).

Conclusion

When we bear with one another, we do more than just keep the peace; we reflect the heart of God. Just as the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 stopped to care for a stranger across cultural divides, we are called to bridge gaps with love. By enduring with one another, we heal the wounds of division and show the world a love that transcends earthly boundaries.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you show us how to be patient with one another in humility and gentleness. May the light you have shone on our path lead us towards unity and help us heal the wounds of division and indifference that often break communities apart. Amen.

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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA

The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.