Today was another one of those days that I learned the same lesson in 5 different ways. The theme was the same. Each point connected back to the center, as spokes on a wheel. First, came class time where I sat by someone I respect greatly. I knew the question would come, but I was not ready for how it would affect me. My emotions won out and another friend jumped in, with only the most gracious encouragement. I am thankful for the uplifting words shared from both of them. In service, we talked on the topic of love. Our preacher did a wonderful job of approaching the subject, saying that it could be boring, something we had heard before. Yet if we give love the only meaning that truly defines it, then we bring new life to it.
I will add some more points from the sermon as this post continues, but I want to also mention the book series that I have been reading (recommended by my Mom): the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury. There are 4 books: Leaving, Learning, Longing and Loving. I saw myself in every page of those books. Searching for my place in the world, leaning on my family and faith in God, facing trials and fear, longing for an earthly husband, yet longing for God's love with each passing day. The author writes of God's plans for our lives, waiting on His timing, and praying despite our feelings. God is speaking to us if we choose to listen.
The messages from those books were still in my mind today as I listened to the sermon. We use the word love too often. I love being outdoors, I love playing games, I love...when love cannot be separated from God and how we love others. It is CORE. Love pays the price. Love risks forgiving. Love makes us new people. God's Love does that. Love is demonstrated. Love captured your heart.
Jesus is the one that defines love. He demonstrated it. He paid the price. He risked forgiving us. He made us new. He captured my heart.
One of my friends from my story this morning pulled me aside after service and introduced me to someone. It was a 10 year old girl from Rwanda. He said to her, "I want you to be just like her (meaning me) when you grow up." Heart overflowing...I did not deserve such a compliment. It once again tied into the idea of love, proving how much I was first loved and how much love I have to give to others. Finally today, I went with the youth group to see Les Miserables (my second time). Of course I cried again, but I was impressed by the amount of high schoolers that did as well. For those of you that don't know the plot line, it is a story about grace and love. The first act of grace and redemption causes several other lives to be positively changed. Each character has the choice to respond in thankfulness or guilt. Each character has his or her own faults and whether the gifts are deserved or not they are given.
One of the final lines states: To love another person is to see the face of God.
I believe this to be very true. Love is demonstrated. There are no greater commands than to love God then love others. I am still learning but I'm glad God is teaching me these lessons. He knows exactly what my heart needs. How is your heart? May love and grace reside there always.
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