I recall when I was in love for the first time (so I supposed). It was seventh grade, in junior high school. I actually had a fight over her and got suspended. I would write a note asking her, do you like me and offer two carefully drawn boxes in which to respond with an “x” indicating “yes” or “no”. I will not tell the answer is received, but I am sure many of you listening today did the same. I was a shy fellow and moved quite slowly, thus the name I received growing up “Pokey” that my mom lovingly gave me. Carefree and unhurried I lived, but in this moment after weeks of anticipation and contemplation, I could not wait I had to make my feelings known. My heart ached. I had to profess my love, in a Shakespearean way, and prove chivalry was not dead. In my mind, I told myself we would ride the bus together, I would hold her hand and carry her books to class and sit in a swing together. I was so in love it hurt as my anxiousness would not allow me to wait any longer. I was poised, trying my best to muster enough courage to present my carefully written four word note. Conversely, somehow my courage faded suddenly. The note never made it, and I continued to watch her from afar. That is often our understanding or reflection of love, except in God there are no near misses, or opportunities that slip through our hands, his love towards us is ceaseless, constantly beckoning for us to come, even when our courage fades and fear keeps us from moving forward.
God’s love is incredible, infinite, and unfailing.
Our Love Letter
Romans 8:38-39
38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What is love? What does it look like? Do others see it in me? Do I emanate earthly love, or that reflective of the presence of Christ in my life? Can I see, touch, hear or feel it? There is the love humanity offers, which has boundaries, limits, and restrictions. Contrariwise, there is the ceaseless and enduring love of God. Our humanity causes us to call into questions asking, what about me and where is mine, a yoke of our continual searching for something that is right before us, but we are unable to recognize it, because we are unable to define it.
