The Space Between Us: Love Wins
Okay, how foolish am I to try to dive into a summer series on relationships and think that we can cover “love” in a single week? That was my first thought as we began building the messages. The reality is that “love” is simply the umbrella under which the rest of the characteristics of healthy relationships fall. Which means that every week this summer, whether we are talking about confrontation or forgiveness or humility, we are really talking about practical ways in which love is expressed.
I hope that this weekend we can begin to understand what Peter was saying. We are sinful, broken people and yet, when we love one another in the way God intended, it transcends our brokenness. It shines the brilliance of God’s image within us, giving just a glimpse of God’s true reflection.
I guess this concept is echoed in the Pathways postcards we send out to our community that says, “No Perfect People Allowed”. We are not expected to be perfect here. I make mistakes. You make mistakes. We will say things that offend. We will respond in ways that we wish we would not. But when LOVE is prevalent in all things, God is honored in spite of our imperfection. LOVE WINS!
Give a quick shout out to someone in your life who has modeled this for you. How have they demonstrated this kind of love that overshadows their flaws? How can the rest of our community learn from their example?
June 7th, 2007 at 8:24 am
John, That’s a great “Love Wins” logo. You should turn that into a t-shirt or something!
June 8th, 2007 at 8:56 am
I have a friend who I have known FOREVER. Most of the time, we get to see the very ugliest of these kinds of friends. And I have, and she’s seen the ugliest of me. But she loves me, in spite of me and in spite of her. When we were younger, we would bicker and argue to prove a point. I think at that time we were very interested in loving ourselves. Now, through years of maturing and closer relationships with God, when we do come into conflict, we sincerely want to see God work in these situations. We truly want God to bless the other person, and reveal His truth to both of us. Its a great thing to be able to witness someone loving you that much. My friend Cara is a great example of someone who loves, in spite of conflict and through challenge.
June 9th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
i have a longtime friend named bonnie whose husband began a relationship with another married woman several years ago. it broke her heart to watch their family fracture and yet she determined to trust that the Lord would give her the strength and wisdom and grace to continue on and to raise their three children in obedience to Him. many of us have walked with someone along that path, and you know how brutally hard a journey that can be. despite the challenges, though, she has persevered, and it continually blesses me to see how the Lord has answered her prayers ~ in amazing ways ~ over the years.
praise God!
this spring her husband and that same woman suddenly announced they would marry this summer. my friend reeled at the news and at the same time sensed the Lord was asking her to take a very courageous step in response. she invited them into her home, confessing to THEM the struggle she’s had to forgive them, asking THEM to forgive HER for that, and that, in obedience to the Lord, she has forgiven them for what they have done to dismantle two families. she tells me that since that day she has had incredible peace and freedom, and that is truly evident in her.
yikes ~ sure, there are times i’ve been hurt and to forgive feels like a heavy burden ~ but watching what the Lord has helped bonnie to do humbles and encourages me beyond words.
in my book, THAT’s love. so here’s a shout-out to you, bonnie.
June 10th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
As we’ve been talking about this idea, an old song keeps popping into my head “They will know we are Christians by Our Love”. It is a simple song, but the message confirms the profound importance of love in our relationships. Every time I think about the text of the song, I am convicted to look at my own life and ask the question, is love what would stand out? Is that how the world would know that I am a Christian? Is the fingerprint of God’s love so evident in me and my relationships that others would notice a difference?
June 13th, 2007 at 12:34 am
Serene, Thanks for taking me down memory lane. My memory of that song always takes me back to summer camp sitting around a campfire in Prescott, AZ at the United Christian Youth Camp.