Thoughts Along the Way
Love has truly been good to me Not even one sad day
Or minute have I had since you’ve come my way
I hope you know I’d gladly go Anywhere you’d take me
It’s so amazing to be loved
I’d follow you to the moon in the sky above
Ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…I’d go
Got to tell you how you thrill me I’m happy as I can be
You have come and it’s changed my whole world
Bye-bye sadness, hello mellow What a wonderful day
It’s so amazing to be loved
I’d follow you to the moon in the sky above
By Luther Vandross
These are the words to a song that I have been listening to over the last few weeks. It has gotten me thinking about love, what it is, why we love, who we love, and how we express that love. This morning I told John that I love him. He surprised me by asking why I love him. My first inclination was to begin a list of the things he does but before I opened my mouth, it struck me that I don’t love him because of what he does but more of who he is. What he does is an expression of who he is. Of course I like all the wonderful things he does for me and the times we spend together working, walking, talking, TV watching, or just quietly being in the same room together. I like the warm fuzzy feelings I have when we are together, but again they are an expression of our mutual love not the cause of that love. I understand love from such an imperfect human view.
When I listen to the words of this song, I am brought to tears thinking of the love of God. It is so amazing that He would love a sinner like me but He does! He loves not because I do such wonderful things, or even because of who I am apart from Christ. He loves me because He chose to love me even to the point of sacrificing His own Son that I can have the astounding opportunity to have a relationship with Him. Not just any relationship but that of a son/daughter. He didn’t have to do it and certainly not the way He did, but His love is so amazing that not even the death of His Son was too much to give. As the wonder of this love begins to sink deep into my heart I am overwhelmed. Being surrounded by such a love how can I not respond and love Him back. We love because He first loved us. It is His love that brings tears of sorrow over my sin-filled heart and I weep for joy at knowing how much I am forgiven. As the song says, It’s So Amazing!
Prayer: Father, It is so amazing that You love me. I don’t begin to understand how much or why but I rejoice that You do and that You want me to experience that love and share it with others. Forgive my cold, hard heart and fill me with Your love that I will follow You to the moon or what is even harder – to love my neighbor.