Yet fear is a chain to freedom. One way fear hinders our life is in the way it destroys love. As I've seen with Lily, A child loves her parents without reason. When a young child hears her parents voice there is an instant desire to just be near and affectionate towards her mom or dad. Untainted, unconditional love.
As we get older, our sinful nature can turn the art of love into a science or formula. Love is more calculated rather than just a response from a pure heart.
As I'm writing this, I'm sitting outside the cabin we are staying in Minnesota. My soul is soaking in the colorful leaves, the warmth of the sun, and the rhythm of the waves on the dock. I can tangibly see how the very purpose of creation is to glorify God by fearlessly proclaiming His love song back to Him. Trees have no fear of when they will receive their basic needs nor do they withhold their branches from the bird that wishes to perch, make it's nest, and sing melody to the Lord. Trees receive and give freely, just like the flowers of the field and the heat of the sun... All created by God, for God's glory.
Mankind's story, from the very beginning, has been seeking to be back in right relationship with God. Jesus' love, benevolent and fearless, shows us what true love looks like. True love is missional, it is not okay with things as they are, it seeks to cast out all fear by perfecting in love.
To know God is to know love... For God is love. We cannot know selfless love without knowing God.
What do we find when there is an absence of love. Contrary to what many may believe, it is actually not hate. Hate requires some sort of feeling towards another, even though it may be befit ive. No... The opposite of love is to see a person in need and not do anything about it... Apathy. Apathy finds its fuel in fear and avoidance. Not knowing how to change something or ignoring an issue all together will not change the situation.
God's heart is for the poor and He has compassion for His lost sheep. I'm compelled today to be love as God has given us an example in Jesus. God will you show me how, by your Spirit in me? How will they ever know of the benevolent, self-sacrificing, generous love I've experienced without me testifying of it? I am reminded once again of the reason Matt and I have been "uprooted". By faith we believe that our purpose, like a tree, is to trust God in all things just as the tree is sustained by the soil, the sun and the rain. It is out of that trust, that deep knowledge of God, that we have love to give.
So we will give of our branches, look for God to do simple things and extraordinary things. We are planted and uprooted for the purpose of making His name and glory known.
No comments:
Post a Comment