December 22, 2020
…as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9
Advent Lighting – Light the four candles of advent; hope, peace, joy and love.
“What wondrous love is this, oh my soul, oh my soul, what wondrous love is this oh my soul. What wondrous love that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul…”
I would love to know what Alexander Means felt as he penned these mighty words. He must have gotten a glimpse of that love of the love with which God loves him and all of us. I believe we all get glimpses of that love form time-to-time, we just never know in full what the Father knows in full, but only a portion as has been given. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12: “…now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.” God knows how much he has loved each one of us, yet he also sees what each of us has done with such love. So what do we do with God’s love once we have it?
Much of that answer depends on the openness of our relationship with God. If we have a completely open relationship with God then there is nothing holding us back, and as we grow closer in that relationship we see and begin to know more fully the love that God has for we. We also see the way we can show such love to others and fulfill the promise of God’s love in our sharing. The is becomes true, that we are Christ’s disciples because we love as he first loved us. (John 13:35).
If you hold back, and try to hide from God; things in your innermost self, then God is pouring his love out, but you do not know it fully, only partially. You may find yourself wanting to know God more, but are unable to attain it, because you are holding back, and that which you hold back has become a barrier in your relationship. When we create such barriers we cannot know the love of God, fully, because God is not fully welcomed. That is not to say that we do not know God, but we lack letting God love us and convict us, which keeps us from the experience of joy overflowing because of God’s love.
Finally there are those who do not know the love of God at all. For one reason or another, their backs are turned away from God, and their sin has built a solid barrier around them that keeps the out-pouring of love and grace from sinking into their soul. However, in all situations the power of Jesus blood is enough to wash it all way, to break down any barriers and build a stronger relationship one based on love between that person and God. Alexander Mean tells us how in his hymn wonderful hymn. Verse 2: when I was sinking down…Christ laid aside his crown for my soul. Verse 3: I began to pray for my soul…thus the word of God said Christ is the truth and the way. Verse 4: He shed his heavenly light…to disperse the gloom of night, now it shines with radiance bright. Verse 5: To God and to the lamb I will sing…who is the great “I AM” while millions join the theme. Verse 6: And when from death I’m free…I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on.
May the love of God lift us up, and allow us to sing on for all eternity because of the love with which God has poured out upon us through the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Grace & Peace,
Sam