THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Who doesn’t relish a love story? When I hear of a young woman recently engaged, I am full of questions. “When did he first know he loved her?” “How did he propose?”
I also have my favorite love scenes from movies. How much better does it get than Mr. Darcy coming across the moors one misty morning to proclaim his love to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice? It is heart stopping and just exquisite.
My favorite love scene of all is from the Sound of Music. Maria, never thinking she would be a candidate for love, is approached in the garden by Captain Von Trapp. The setting is a blue-green, surreal world at dusk. It is captured in soft focus in the movie. He approaches her tentatively, so as not to overwhelm her. He speaks to her with a bit of a light hand. “I thought I might just find you here!” His playfulness disarms her and the rest is history. As a young girl, I remember pretending I was she. I had a lump in my throat and a knot in my stomach as their true feelings were revealed.
No matter who we are, we want to be the object of someone’s love. We want to be the main character in the love story. We long for a lover who will risk it all for us, who will throw reservation to the wind and go to great lengths to win our heart. Most never know that it is Jesus they are longing for. He gave up everything to come to us so that He could proclaim His love and rescue us from what would be impending doom.
Someone once said, “We come to the cross long enough to get saved but not long enough to get loved.” The greatest tragedy is that churches are full of God’s children who have no idea how much they are cherished.
I used to wonder why I didn’t feel more love for Jesus. Obedience was absolute drudgery. God showed me that it was because I didn’t know how much He loved me! I hadn’t opened my heart to receive everything He wanted to give to me. And here’s the thing ~ God created me to be a responder. “We love him because He first loved us.” Once my heart is captivated by the love of God for me, I will spend it all on Him. No price will be too steep.
Melt my reservations. Every one. Amen
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Tuesday, 05 December 2023.
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