Friday, March 11, 2011

the messy love of God

What if we really knew that God's love doesn't fit inside of a neatly ordered, clean, predictable box constructed out of our own preconceived ideas and experience? Started thinking about this this a.m. when I read Phil 1:8 and Paul says how he "longs for all of [them] with the affection of Jesus Christ." What does the affection of Jesus look like? And then I started thinking about what passion, what affection looks like with us, fallen human beings....Piper started hyperventilating the other day when she saw her Daddy drive up as she ran to get down the front steps to greet him. She was squealing with delight. Solomon and his bride write some pretty passionate stuff in Song of Solomon - it's not what I would call "neat" or "orderly." Mary goes to Jesus, wastes thousands of dollars on his feet, and then bawls all over them, wiping off her snot and tears with her hair. This act certainly did not fall within the bounds of propriety! There are thousands of other examples of what humans do when they cannot contain their love and affection, losing all their inhibitions.
How much more so the love and affection of Christ.
The reactions that we see in the natural are but a shadow of what is reality - a passionate, "messy", over-the-top affectionate Father who doesn't realize that He is not supposed to be "foolishly" excited over the objects of His passion. Jesus wasn't religious. And He is the exact representation of the Father. Wow. Wow.

1 comment:

Melissa said...

Anda, you are a great writer. Just wanted to say that it was so nice to see you and your family last Wednesday night at Jill's for the presentation to Dale and Rita from ACU. I am sorry Luke didn't get to come, but hopefully he can come this summer. Rita was so surprised to see you guys along with April's family. It was such a blessing for me to have been there. Hope to see you guys soon, and for a longer time.