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God loveWednesday, March 9, 2011
Joel 2:13 My body's getting older and it fails sometimes when I least expect it. But I've been failing all my life. Early morning, late-night, mid-afternoon failures, all because of my selfishness and my need to protect. Sin must mean something like NOT letting Jesus Christ be in charge, but instead pushing him away. Turning a deaf ear. Closing my eyes. Not thinking about it. Becoming distracted, tired, hungry and carelessly indulging that need. I think I'm a pretty normal guy. Pretty normal sinner. Pretty normal self-protective earth-man. So was Paul. He knew God loved him in all that inadequacy and selfishness. His certainty gives me hope. God provides this endless love for me as fuel to live on and pass on. He really does want me to love the ones I'm with. He shows each one of us how to love in our own way and reinforces what we do day after day after day. The poetry of this relationship, especially as it sings itself into the relationships I have with myself and others, brings beauty, symmetry, harmony into my life. It starts with ashes, and it ends with fire. Holy Spirit, come and encircle our camp. Warm what needs to be warmed, burn what needs to be burned, light what needs to be lit. |
When Paul wrote to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, he began his letters, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father." He was certain of God's love, and he knew it extended far beyond his behavior to his very being.