A LOVE STORY FROM GOD

A LOVE STORY FROM GOD
Jan. 30, 2001

Agape
Where do I begin to tell the story of my best friend and lover, You? As I look back on our lives together, I can recall so many precious memories that I will forever treasure about our lives and how they increasingly became woven together—and now they make a beautiful tapestry that I will share with you.
I still remember that first breath you took and how you drank in life for the first time—so beautiful to behold, so tiny and so eager to grow together with me. I remember when our eyes first met—when you looked up and cried out to me and I embraced you for the first time. I can vividly picture the day that you first learned of my sacrifice for you, and you thought—is this too good to be true? Could someone so holy, without sin, so pure and perfect, actually desire to be with and to love someone so imperfect, doubting, angry, selfish, impure and unholy as me?
Yes, I do! I desired you though you were born in sinfulness, spoke hurtful words, and denied me day after day. When you began to realize how great a sacrifice I had made for you—this day stands out more brightly than the most dramatic sunset I ever made—you took the leap, you received the gift, you answered my call! The angels in heaven had a celebration that day! From then on, you began to learn for yourself how rewarding sacrifice can be and always is.

Union
The deal was sealed. I entered into your life in a new and rich way, and you responded so eagerly—going to church—so hungrily—reading my love story written especially for you. I introduced you to my friends and you immediately took to them, enjoying their fellowship, and together, you literally sang my praises.
However, it wasn’t long before the hard years hit. You saw someone else. And increasingly you spent time with them. I reached out, desiring so much to be with you, but you turned me away. You had found a new first love.
I want you to know that our union was always, is always, and always will be my greatest desire. As far away as you went from me, I never once left you. As many times as you forgot my sacrifice, I have never forgotten you. All the times you doubted, I was there. All the times when life seemed to be against you, I was there. All the times that you were laughed at, beaten down, fired, discouraged, empty, lonely, crushed, frustrated, without hope, and without a friend, I was there—and I knew exactly what you were going through. Because, you see, I’ve been there myself.
In fact, I offer a little reminder of our union with one another. It’s a very special time—a chance for you to give me all these burdens that you hold, all the sins of your past, all the failings and faults, and to lay them at my feet. I want to take them right now and let you know that I am with you. This reminder of our union is my body, broken for you; it is my blood, shed for you. It is communion. Take, eat, drink, and remember our union.

Romance
Once you remembered our union, it was like all of your other loves fell aside. Once again, I was your first love, once again we had passion, once again, romance. Let me illustrate for you what our romance was like:

“Cheryl” has demonstrated to me and to her peers that she is a kind and compassionate friend. However, I discovered this most vividly this year when I invited my next-door neighbor to the youth group. He did not appear to be the church type so much, sporting a black Marilyn Manson t-shirt quite frequently and proudly. I later found out that at the beginning of the school year Howdy Dance, he was the ninth-grader standing by himself against the wall with long hair dangling in his face. Cheryl saw him and, at the encouragement of a friend, asked him to dance with her. Can you picture it? (In my opinion, it is a picture of God’s love for us:) The lovely and graceful senior homecoming queen walks up to the ninth-grade boy wallflower that no one else seems to care about and many probably go out of their way to avoid, and she invites him onto the dance floor. They danced. Needless to say “Ron” (names have been changed to protect the innocent) is now actively attending the St. Luke youth group.

I held out my hand to you and invited you to the dance floor. You took my hand into yours and you let me lead you. We danced. Daily, your delight became spending time with me, sacrificing for me. “At-one-ment”—it was like being at one with me was your greatest desire—you had finally realized how wonderful it can be when we are at one, in step with one another!

Partnership
As my daily partner, you and I danced, and out of that romance—it usually happens this way—the fruit of our love began springing up everywhere. You bore fruit for me! Love for the unlovable, joy in your trials, peace with your enemies, patience with your family, kindness to strangers, goodness in your language and thoughts, faithfulness in your work, gentleness to your spouse, self-control in your frustrations—all the fruit of the Spirit.
And the fruit of love—people began asking you about that glow—that sparkle in your eyes, that love which just kept overflowing from you. Gradually, our family grew. It grew as a direct result of this romance and partnership we now shared. Oh, we have an enemy who likes to steal, kill and destroy any fruit that you would bear. Any time that you share my love and my truth with others, he is at work to prevent them from joining the family.
But you learned that I am your advocate, like a lawyer defending you against his attacks and accusations, interceding on your behalf. It is my job to protect you and provide for you. When you finally caught on, we became yoked together in a partnership which brought you and me both praise and glory, and many more children into the family! You are my glory, and I am yours! You are my delight, and I am yours. I am my lover’s and my lover is mine!
By the way, did I mention that all of this is just the courtship? I invite you to the wedding that is to come. Wait on me. I am coming soon.

Love,

God

by scott sullivan, ©2010