Our Scripture lessons speak of love: John 15:12-17 and 1st John 5:1-6. This is not romantic love, or the love of friendship or for a pet, but the love of God that fulfills and makes durable every human love. Although always with us by the power of God's Holy Spirit, this love is often observed by us in the exceptional moments of life, e.g. when we find the power to forgive, or let go, or make a sacrifice.
Begin by seeing yourself being submerged in the cold waters of baptism. You are held down; all around you is water, bubbles rising, shimmering reflections, light. You are bathed in God's love, you are dying into it. Suddenly you are yanked out, cold air strikes you! Love remains - you are still sopping wet and there is no means to get dry - but now you are experiencing God's love in a new life.
You have drowned all except for love. Equipped only with love, how will you love and who will you love? Recall that even animals love their own kin and we humans love our friends: But how will you love as God loves?
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This may or may not speak to the heart of this blog prompt, but a quote from Reinhold Neibuhr keeps rattling around in my head, and so I thought I'd share it. Neibuhr says: "Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by HOPE. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by FAITH. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we are saved by LOVE. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint. Therefore, we must be saved by the final form of live which is FORGIVENESS."
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, absolutely. Thanks for sharing it. Sam
ReplyDeleteRebecca, Thank you for that quote! I LOVE that!
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