True Love

February is here and with it, in the San Luis Valley, we get the teeth-chattering, deep cold temperatures of the heart of winter.  Speaking of hearts, not everything in the Valley is cold and blustery right now.  This past week, my wife Marcy took a trip to Wal-Mart and picked out 25 Valentines for our daughter Emma’s pre-school class.  Yes, it’s the time of year when thoughts drift towards romantic leanings and flowers will be purchased, sugar levels will absolutely rise, and the Hallmark card company will experience its “Black Friday” of economic recovery. 

Some of us will drift into memory this time of year, recalling fond moments from the past when young hearts fluttered, hands intertwined in electric embrace, and time disappeared in the dreamy lushness of gazes into the eyes of loved ones; others will look forward to those types of moments with a nervousness and anticipation built on the hope of finding someone with which to share those experiences of life.  Whether looking back or dreaming of the future, love is something that everyone longs for if only in the hidden yearnings of the recesses of the heart or the memory of days gone by.

In his book Soul Cravings, author Erwin McManus talks about the idea of being “Chased by Love”.  He tells the story of a mission trip that he once took into the heart of the Middle East.  On that trip, he sat in a group of intense gentlemen, praying for an opportunity to insert Jesus naturally in the conversation.  This group of Muslims knew that Erwin was American and to them that would mean that by default he would have to be a Christian.  After being asked about his family McManus saw an opportunity to begin a spiritual discussion.  He began with a simple and relatable idea:  “I once met a girl named Kim, and I fell in love.”  Their curiosity was suddenly piqued…they subconsciously leaned forward as his story continued:  “I pursued her with my love and pursued her with my love until I felt my love had captured her heart.  So I asked her to be my wife, and she said no.”  The pity for poor Erwin was tangible…what a sad story.  Erwin described the way he continued to pursue this girl…chasing her with his love and his energies until eventually she agreed to marry.  At this point the group sighed heavily in relief and smiles went around this circle of men.  Erwin then said, “I did not send my brother, nor did I send my friend.  For in issues of love, you must go yourself.”  Nods of agreement went around the circle; the men recognized the importance of this idea.  But then McManus deftly moved into a new direction of conversation:  “This is the story of God:  He pursues you with His love and pursues you with His love, and you have perhaps not said yes.  It was not enough to send an angel or a prophet or any other, for in issues of love, you must go yourself.  And so God has come.”  Boldly and dangerously Erwin continued:  “This is the story of Jesus, that God walked among us and He pursues us with His love.  He is very familiar with rejection but is undeterred.  And He is here even now, still pursuing you with His love.”  Conversation stopped; silence filled the air.  Something amazing began to happen as a connection started to emerge between this American infidel and these men of Muslim tradition.  Unexpectedly, a divine relationship took shape as a group of men, distinct by nationality, culture, and religion found a bond in something intrinsic and common:  every human being longs for love, to be pursued, to be desired.  When this idea is realized, than all of us can understand that the story of Jesus has very little to do with who is right and who is wrong but agreement can be found in understanding what the motivation of Christ was in coming to earth in the first place:  “there was only one reason for God to come Himself, because in issues of love, you just can’t have someone else stand in for you.”

So as February arrives, and Valentine’s Day approaches, I want to invite you to think about love.  Not the emotional, sappy, and sometimes temporary idea of modern perceptions of love; rather, I want you all to think about love that matters, love that is eternal, and love that defines the very essence of what drives and moves people to live as Followers of Jesus.  “Love exists because God is love…our souls will never find satisfaction until our hearts have found this love that we so desperately yearn for.”  My hope is that this thought will move us all to live and love like people who know who know what true love is.  May we all live in a state of passionate fascination not because you loved God first but because in His desire and pursuit Jesus first loved you.  

I love that Jesus is my eternal Valentine!!