I didn't write this for Valentines day. It just happened to be around that time when I connected all my dots. But yes, this blog is about the L word. Love. The mushy gooshy stuff. So be prepared or exit. That was a joke don't actually stop reading. You got this far so keep on keeping on. You are so close to being done.
Have you ever felt so deeply about the pain you see other people going through you honestly wish you could take their place? Insert yourself into their story just to ease the burdens? Whether the pain you are witnessing is physical, emotional, or spiritual you just want them to be where you are. You want to give up everything you have gained in this life just to help this loved one. That's the love we are talking about.
I first had these feelings toward a young girl I knew. A girl who was raised in a broken home and abused in the worst sense. Neglected by the adults who chose drugs over her kids. Beaten by the adults who accused her of being overweight at the age of 8. Adults who let creeps take advantage of her before she knew what love was. I honestly didn't believe some of these stories could be real. Could someone actually let these things happen to their own child? As time went on I could see the effects it had on her and had no other choice. It had to be real.
The outcome of a childhood like this are tragic. Severe depression to the point of suicidal thoughts and even failed attempts. An eating disorder or even multiple eating disorders including bulimia and anorexia. A lack of self confidence, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, and the list goes on. This is the girl I was having these feelings toward. I desperately wanted her to be healthy. I wanted to put myself through her pain so that she could have my life. Impossible, I know but that is what I wanted. Was I crazy having these thoughts? Could someone really want to switch places like this? I did. Everything in me wanted some crazy "Freaky Friday" situation. To give her my life. A life with parents who loved and guided me and led me toward God. Friends to correct me and set me back on my path. I wanted her to have it all.
Months after being around her and seeing God's redemption another situation rises. She was getting ready to hangout with her little sister. Hearing her heartbreak for her sister was saddening. Talking about her childhood and seeing her baby sister in the same situation would be unbearable for most. That's when I heard it. "Why do I get the good ending? Why can't I be in my sisters spot again? Why can't she have the rewards I've been blessed with?" That was it. That was the same feeling I had for her. This must be what love is. This must be a deeper love.
Now I'm here connecting dots. This deeper love. This is real love. A sacrificial love. A love that says I'm going to lay down my life for you love. I've read about this love before. A love that began with the God that is love. "1 John 4:8 Whoever does not know love does not know God, because God is love." Yeah this god. The God who saw how broken his creation was. The only God who literally could take someone's place. He did better. He sent his son to take all our places. That same feeling me and this girl were experiencing must of been the way God felt toward all of us. Yeah talk about connecting dots.
A couple more dots if you are still following. This feeling must of been the same feeling when Paul said the following. "Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race." Maybe a little intense. Maybe a little too intense for me at this point in my life but still the same thought of a sacrificial love.
And now to tie it all together hopefully. To look at those dots we connected and figure out the picture. Maybe this deeper love I'm talking about is God given. A love god already gave to us. A love that we are to pass on to others because we know the truth. " 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we weeill be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Sounds like it right? Man, God is SOOOO good. God is SOOOO much love.
