When Love Doesn't Want to Travel That Far

I just want to share something that has a large presence in my life. Which is really cool if you hold your head just right and stick your tongue out. I am in a crazy, not how I planned at all, relationship. Most days involves me praying for and sending notes to Sweet Thang ( that'll just be his name for now).  Most days involves him being crazy busy, and maybe responding, but maybe not. To people close to him, I might come off as needy, but I would beg to differ. To people close to me, I'm crazy.  This relationship forces me to love from afar. Which, quite honestly, I know is very good for me. But there are days when love doesn't want to travel that far. 

 This is when the love of God surpasses ours. 
When our love doesn't want to travel very far.

 Our love only loves when we are loved in return. 
God's love, loves regardless.

 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

 It doesn't say: "when we love him in return".
Our love only loves when it's cheap.
God's love is costly.

 Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 It doesn't say: "when it was convenient and easy to love".
What does this have anything to do with my relationship to Sweet Thang? Honestly, there are moments when I really, really, struggle. When I would rather withold my love, or not allow it to travel too far. It is those moments when my Sweet, Sweet Savior whispers to my heart. "Bethany, are you truly being loving right now? Are you being a different type of help-mate to Sweet Thang? Are you being thankful for the sweet gift I give? Are you questioning my goodness in this plan I have for you? If so, let me push your love farther than you'd want it to go. Let me minister when you don't always feel loved. Let me whisper to your heart. For by it, and by my love will you understand what it truly means." 
I pray that my love becomes a long distance love, an extravagant love, and a costly love. But it will never happen, unless I surrender my love to God's love. 


post signature

Popular posts from this blog

Listening.

As I sit here listening to my fingers type at the keyboard, I listen to my brother play "Super Mario Galaxy" in the living room. When he first started up the game, a pleasent sound fell upon my ears & then a obnoxious, repetitive, LOUD music (I guess) came on suddenly as Mario traveled to a different galaxy... I wondered what my life would sound like if it was music. Hmmm. So, here is what I'm contemplating at the moment. What would happen if everytime I took something into my own hands, what would it sound like? Yes, I can keep Rhythm. I know some pretty chords, and some pretty nice tunes. But if I were to conduct the music that represents my life, how would it sound? I quite honestly think it would sound out of key, off rhythm, and slightly obnoxious. Why? Because my life is out of key, off rhythm, and slightly obnoxious apart from Christ. (You knew I was going to do that.. You must have!) Besides being the Master over everything, he can keep a pretty sweet beat. N...
Read more

Future Pastor, or Ministry Leader {This One's for You}

Image
I go to a christian college. So, at any christian college there is a pastoral ministry major and other ministry majors. Unfortunately, some guys sign up not knowing what they are doing. I see these guys everyday. I love the fact that they do indeed try, but if I were to encourage each one individually, I would call to their attention a few (but important) areas. Be Consistent Consistency is something VERY close to my heart. I love knowing that God is consistent. I have no worries regarding what He thinks of me, or whether or not I've earned His love for today. Therefore, it is important that you are developing consistency in your life. Now, consistency does not mean you should consistently be late, or sleep in, or keeping your habits of laziness. Consistency means that when you are hanging out with your friends, you are encouraging them. Consistency is a big indicator of your character. Although you are at war with the flesh and the world, you are relying upon God's stre...
Read more

You've been assigned.. 1 Corinthians 7:17

Image
I am currently struggling. I am tired and weak. My heart is broken, and I am at a vulnerable spot in my life. Trust me on this one, it's not a fun spot to be in. However, God in his faithfulness has shown me abundant truth. He alone has taken this heart and comforted it beyond belief. I look forward to getting into the Word of God every day, because I know that if I don't, I'll burst into tears. Now that I've come right out and said that, onto a quick story... I went to American Eagle yesterday. I needed to pick up a pair of shorts (on sale of course) that I can wear to camp.  We all know American Eagle's marketing slogan "Live your life.." Well, that simple little marketing ploy reminds me of something Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7. "Only let each person lead the life   that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in  all the churches." 1 Corinthians 7:17 (ESV) Here's a paraphrased version... ...
Read more