"For What It's Worth": Love Story

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Love Story

Forty years ago I fell in love.

Twice!

Yes, forty years ago I entered into two love relationships. One of the relationships involves a commitment until the day I die. The other is eternal.

I met the love of my life in October, 1969, the night I first laid eyes on Linda Bowling. The eternal affair began seven months earlier, when I met Jesus. Linda and I are committed to one another for a lifetime. Jesus and I are united forever! I courted Linda for nearly two years before she said "I do." Jesus, on the other hand, pursued me! (Luke 19:10)

Love stories abound throughout history. Countless books and plays have been written about lovers. Hundreds of movies have warmed our hearts with memorable love story lines. And what about the thousands and thousands of songs? Paul McCartney whimsically wrote, "You'd think the world would have had enough of silly love songs. I look around me and I see it isn't so. Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs. What's wrong with that? I need to know. So here I go, again. I love you!..."

There are stories of true love, puppy love, parental love, secret love, star crossed love, and unrequited love. The greatest love story of all, however, is the story of God's love. It is a perfect love. The love of a Holy God for fallen man. It is a story of sacrificial love - unmerited love - everlasting love. Jesus himself summed it up in one powerful powerful statement recorded during a dialog with a man named Nicodemus. You know it by heart. It's the "Golden Verse" of the Bible. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

I didn't deserve such love. Neither did you. Yet He still came to Earth - obedient to the mission - paid the penalty for my sins and provided the way for me to live forever in a loving relationship with my Creator. Is it a great love story? You bet it is. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13).

Aren't you thankful for God's love?

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Welcome to my blog! This is a space where I will share my thought ("For What It's Worth") on any number of subjects. If you are looking for deep theological thought you may want to navigate to another site. There may be posts on Biblical matters, but this is not an theological site. I may talk about politics, but this is not a political site. Certain denominational issues may come up, but this is not a site for continuous commentary on SBC life. I will share random thoughts on the world in which we live - from a Biblical world view, from the perspective of a pastor, a preacher's kid, a husband, father, grandfather, sports fan, and a hacker on the golf course. I may share personal stories which some of my friends will appreciate and will bore many others. That's the beauty of a blog. It's out there. Take all of it, or part of it, or navigate somewhere else. It's your choice. I do hope you will mark the spot as a "favorite" and join me often. I invite you to follow me on Twitter @pastoradkins, and friend me on Facebook. Your comments are invited and welcome - whether you agree with my view point, or not. So, basically that's it, "For What It's Worth".