Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

It truly is a love story

As I peer out my window this morning pondering the New Year and this life, I am in awe of yet another spectacular sunrise. The dark skies bringing rain, the horizon inflamed with breaking sunlight. I feel God warm my heart with his love and beauty.

I was walking on the treadmill way before dawn this morning with the scripture “God so loved the world that he sent his only Son,” resounding in my mind (John 3:16). Many people think Christmas has lost its meaning through gift-giving and celebrations. But why not celebrate? It is a wonderful time to give gifts of love as long as we also realize what this season really means: God so loved the world that he sent his only son. He loves us. We need to eat that up. Repeat it over and over in our minds when life is hectic and we run without a reserve of energy. God so loved the world—He loves us. What great love is this? Could you or I watch our son or daughter hang on a cross to redeem mankind and prove our great love for humanity? I don’t think so.

Then focus your mind on what Jesus came to preach. When Jesus was asked: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt 22:36-40). The rules are simple, just love others and ourselves.

I went to a funeral last week, lost a friend to cancer yesterday and am reminded today, that God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to bring redemption and eternal life as we struggle in many ways on this earth. We are reminded even in our difficulties, to peer out the window—the sun still rises, Jesus is still redeeming us from darkness. So why not love now? Celebrate, give gifts, love each other and ourselves enough to jump on that treadmill. Let the mystery of God’s great love pull us in and heal our aching hearts and troubled minds.

May this year continue to invoke wonder and a deep knowledge of God’s love as we experience new sunrises, battle addictions, experience loss, struggle in relationships and celebrate all aspects of life. Why? Because God so loved the world that he sent his only Son. Why? To teach us how to love!

 

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