Love in Unexpected Ways
“I love this fall weather.”
“I love my new sweater.”
“We love college basketball.”
And having just returned from the Scottish Highlands,
“I love Scotland! And sticky-toffee pudding…”
If you’re like me, you openly express your love for places, food, beautiful weather…expressing deep sentiment for how things make us feel.
Like the use of the word “awesome” these days, everything we really, really like is just so “awesome.” In taking a closer look at both expressions, and in anticipation of the Advent season, the awesome gift of Jesus Christ, I suggest we reserve the words “LOVE” and “AWESOME” for the magnitude they deserve.
Take a fresh look at the ancient sky. Historically, we know Jesus came to earth a humble, helpless baby. Astronomers in the year 4 B.C. were rightfully “star-struck.” There’s a remarkable documentary–dare I say “awesome”–focusing on the celestial events of Jesus’ birth. Available on DVD as well as on YouTube, “The Star of Bethlehem” will be viewed afresh by our family this season. Here’s the link: The Star of Bethlehem
Spiritually speaking, Jesus’ very existence–His life, His teachings and His blood sacrifice–have changed the ultimate outcome for you and for me. Greater love has no man…
Valentine’s Day aside, Christmas and Easter are all about agape love.
Love is a person. His name is Jesus.
Love is how Jesus lived.
His agape love is unlike any other love; it’s a most amazing love, from the Greek “agapao.”
Unlike “phileo” or brotherly love; unlike “eros” or erotic love; God’s love is practically indescribable. But I’m going to make an attempt. Here are some great descriptions–not all my own words. Those come toward the end.
God loves us with a willful delight.
God’s love is the highest of all love.
God’s love is not swayed by time or circumstances.
God’s love is unconditional
C.S. Lewis put it this way:
God allows us to feel the frailty of human love so we’ll appreciate the strength of His.
Here are other unexpected ways I’ve personally experienced God’s love:
God’s love has confronted me; lovingly convicted me, and redirected me.
God’s love saw through the veils I’d erected. He heard what was behind my inadequate words.
God’s love has blanketed me with complete forgiveness from nagging regrets.
God’s love has helped to heal my deepest wounds, and has ushered away my un-forgiveness.
God’s love has serendipitously introduced me to people who’ve changed my life.
My earthly life has been made much sweeter by the manifestation of His tangible love, made most evident to me when He enabled me to carry/birth/hold all four of my newborn babies. I could stop right there. But He wasn’t done.
He’s allowed me to witness my eldest daughter go through three amazing birth experiences; those times when God’s love manifest like a tidal wave of supernatural strength and joy. I’ve held all three newborn grandbabies. I’ve sensed His divine breath in each new life.
God’s love has shown forth in the magnificent gift of His creation to such a wild extent, even the most devout skeptic will take note. The Creator recently astounded my senses during a powerful women’s retreat, where we experienced Scotland’s scenery/landscape in a very physical way:
Daily, we witnessed heaven-come-to-earth:
- countless unexpected rainbows
- intense sunbeams emerging boldly behind ever-changing cloud formations
- gale-force winds rustled around us, lassoing our toboggan-covered heads
- Ancient ruins stood next to ancient pools of fresh, spring water
- rugged, moss-laden trails beckoned our charging boots
All within the confines of the Scottish Highlands–and from “home base”—the most amazing retreat house: Eagle Rock; on the Applecross Bay’s breathtaking peninsula.
Finally, God’s love is personal. Psalm 139 says it all for me. I hope you’ll read it today. How does God express His love to you, today?
Today, I strive to love like Jesus, who gave us the best example of loving others that we will ever know:
God’s love listens.
God’s love fights for our right to wholeness.
God’s love allows us to see the best in ourselves and others.
God’s love allows for all kinds of drastic change.
God’s love opens-up our closed minds.
God’s love transforms us.
God’s love carries us through the worst times imaginable.
When I needed something to hold onto, a dear friend quoted this scripture, and it instantly changed my perspective. You are welcome to it.
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, of peace, and of a sound mind.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Looking for perfection? We find it here:
We need have no fear of Someone who loves us perfectly; His perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what He might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what He might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that He really loves us.
~ 1 John 4:18 (TLB)
God’s love heals our broken hearts.
God’s love waits for us.
God’s love is eternal.
God’s love is awesome.
- Use What You Have - September 23, 2021
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I’d like to love sticky-toffee pudding! Wonderful photos; you girls have captured the trip with so many breath-taking images 🙂 Reassuring sentiment in your post this month <3
Thanks Nicole. If you do ever get to Scotland, think of me. I’m sure I left a piece of my heart behind some moss-laden rock, along a trail, deep within the greenest forest I’d ever seen.
Merry Christmas!
Lovely, Sarah! I can’t imagine how incredible an experience sharing the birth of your daughter’s 3 children was for you both. I also have heard that it’s nearly as much a privilege to walk people home.
Thank you for reminding me that LOVE is a big deal. It’s not merely an attitude. Love is Jesus.
This is a wonderful meditation on “love,” Sarah! Well done:)
Thanks!
Ahhhhh, just sitting in this for awhile. “God’s love has blanketed me with complete forgiveness from nagging regrets.” So many profound comments and directions to take to more fully understand his love. Thanks!
His love is amazing!