Compelling Love


Love makes people do crazy things. It makes us take risks because the pay-off is like nothing else in our human experience. I receive so much pleasure hearing/reading stories about how couples get together. Steadfast and abiding love is awesome but new love is exhilarating. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done because you found love?

2 Corinthians 5:14a, For Christ’s love compels us.

We are crazy for love – not to attract love but because we are already in love. The love of God towards us is already ours and it’s secure. We love because he first loved us. The first aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is love. The fruit of the Spirit is the product of a love relationship, and yet, the fruit is...more love.

Why do we need more love?

I love my Man and when my Boy was born, my love for my Man didn’t diminish, as if there was a finite amount of love to go around. No, my ability to love expanded to include my Boy. For families with more children, there is always enough love as each new child is born.

When Jesus was questioned what the greatest commandment was, and he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with you all your soul and with all your strength.” Then he said, the second command was similar, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37,39). A love relationship between God and ourselves is first, because from it flows the ability to love [truly love] others.

The book of Song of Solomon is a love story. Reading it feels like voyeurism because it’s an intimate exchange between lovers. The invitation when reading the book is to place yourself in the story, and Jesus is our lover (uncomfortable yet?). A full expression of love and intimacy is demonstrated before the lover is sent away (to carry on the mission).

Many times we get that backwards. We try to work up our love and service for others, as a way of turning the heart and face of God towards us. The truth is, serving for love leads to burnout but the fruit of the Spirit is love. It is a love being poured out on a generation that desperately needs to know God loves them; he uses us to do it. Service is part of a love relationship with God but it always comes after abiding love with Jesus. Then we are filled anew with more love to spend hilariously on others.  

Love is the foundation and it’s the first fruit because without love, we are but a resounding gong or clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Love is Forced

Image
I posted something on social media that caused a bit of a stir. Perhaps you saw the original post and wanted to engage in a conversation but couldn’t because the original post was removed due to unintended reactions. If you are here to have a genuine conversation, then this is your invitation to the table. For the next few days, I will read, contemplate, and thoughtfully respond to your comments. Plus, I have snacks. She Said What?! For those who didn’t see the original post, I’m sure you’re curious. This is what I posted: The caption with the photo read, “Any forced ‘act of love’ is generally called rape. It was a deliberate choice of words, and I intentionally set privacy to ‘public’ because I wanted to provoke a reaction that would cause widespread genuine contemplation and discussion.  However, there were two matters that I didn’t fully consider: The first is that I wanted to encourage discussion but I didn't exactly leave it open to invite a conversation with me. Besides, Face
Read more

May I Have Another Serving of Law, Please?

Image
This morning, I’m challenged by the audacity of forgiveness. I mean, I’m really feeling challenged and every time I want to justify punishment and due consequence the Holy Spirit drops the lyrics from Freedom Reigns in my mind: Freedom reigns in this place Showers of mercy and grace Are falling on every face There is freedom Argh! It’s utterly frustrating. A couple who was leading in the church I formerly attended have been charged with heinous crimes. Since their arrest in spring, I’ve been grappling with forgiveness, especially since there hasn’t been evidence of repentance. The charges have been laid and their cases are in the early stages of the Canadian criminal justice system. Their next court appearance will be to set the trial dates – it could be next month or next year. My honest desire is for them to be convicted, and sentenced to the maximum term – 10 years. And if I’m truly honest, I don’t want them just to go to prison, but I want their stay to be tort
Read more

God Makes a Way

Image
I’ve recently returned from a missions experience like nothing I’ve ever participated before. I joined three other women (from United States, South Africa and Malaysia) and together we travelled to Tibet for four days. After Tibet, another American joined the team and we travelled to Bhutan for another five days of missions. In total, I was away from home for a full 14 days. Anxious thoughts plagued me for days, even before I left. I’m not typically anxious because I’m somewhat of a strategic visionary, which means I I like to plan and be prepared for all possible outcomes. This time, though, the airline called, “Fruit basket upset,” and I found myself without a flight home. Adding to my anxiety was a friend (who has a prophetic gift I trust) telling me she felt God was asking me to trust Him, and not to make any other plans or arrangements. She said I should show up at the airport. Her words struck fear in my heart. Show up?! Without a plan?! I went into a full tailspin
Read more