I’m no love expert, but these days, the word ‘love’ has taken up many shapes and forms.
From the flippant – I love Ice Cream, to the idealized ‘love at first sight’ in Korean Dramas, the word love has been thrown around throughout the century, often without much thought.
Love has also been somewhat commoditized. Companies liken buying an insurance protection to an act of sacrificial love for a loved one.
I stayed in the home of an elderly couple about 2 years ago. It was a beautiful experience, one that I will not easily forget. One of the highlights of staying with people who have gone through way more years than you, is the opportunity to sit and listen to their stories.
On a lovely white pillow in my room, is a cross-stitched art with these words from Ephesians 2:10 in the Bible ‘ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.’
One night, as I stared at it, I found the word ‘anew’ jump at me. In Christ I am created anew.
when we go through pain we wonder why. We wonder why God didn’t stop the pain. Was He not able, or did he not love me? I’ve been on that journey.
If God is good, why doesn’t He just eliminate suffering?
It’s the question I’ve thought about since a kid, wrestled with as a teenager and lived with throughout the pain I was going through when heavily oppressed and depressed.
And while there are no straightforward answers to this question. Let me humbly offer you three perspectives/realities that have helped me through times of difficulty.
Paperheart Pieces