Advent 4…Love Unrivalled

This is the fourth week in Advent; and Christmas week.

We just had the Winter Solstice and from now on the days will begin to slowly linger.

Four candles are lit on our wreath and we meditate on Love.

We cannot live without love, it is a need imbedded in who we are:

Children of God.

The bible tells us that God exists in a fellowship of love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit;

It stands to reason that we need it to thrive as we were made in God’s image.

Without love from God and others, I am not a whole, flourishing Imago Dei.

There’s always a snag that trips me up regularly;

Since the beginning of the world the enemy is at our doors.

I hear him whispering, enticing, befriending, undermining.

The decisions I make, the actions I take, the pathways I follow are pathed with Satan’s lies and I am very often at odds with my life.

I become discouraged, disappointed, distracted, and disobedient.

Is it any wonder that at times I am tempted to think that God doesn’t have my best interests at heart?

Like a parent always ‘ruining my fun!’

Daily I step away from my Father’s shelter and convince myself that,

this person is a good influence,

that car is one I deserve,

the annual bonus will restore my broken life,

an Island home will settle the petty back-biting,

‘I know myself better than anyone else’ I mutter to myself as the enemy sighs into my ear and I turn my back on my Godly roots.

The deceiver directs my love inward and I spurn,

neighbour

friend.

and God.

Too busy to help,

Too frightened to get involved,

Too good to stoop,

Too selfish to share.

My ego gets in the way of deep, meaningful relationships with others.

What am I left with?

Shallow friendships at best,

indifferent acquaintances at worst.

When my desire for Christ’s pure love gets choked by false promises it withers.

To live the beautiful life God created me for,

I need to alter my perspective every day;

I may think I know myself but God knows me better and I have to trust that He loves me better than anyone else.

And here’s the good news we will hear on Christmas morning,

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, and this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was, with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’ (Luke 2:11-14)

I am not Hopeless, I can find Peace, yearn for Joy and be enfolded by Love.

God sent His Son as a baby, to live with us for a short time on earth, for this purpose.

He sent a Saviour who was crucified so that I may look forward to everlasting life in the radiance of God’s perfect, eternal love (John 3:16)

This has been the foundation of my Peace, my Joy, my Hope and my Love

this Advent Season that I’ve been meditating.

Let God plant His love in my heart now;

Let God defeat sin and the adversary;

Let God restore His image in me.

Then I will truly know Unrivalled Love

and live it out with those around me.

Merry Christmas!

Share this:

No comments so far!

Leave a Comment