Like A Rose!

Roses are beautiful and come in many colors. They are very fragrant and lovely to hold, but must be handled with care because most varieties have thorns. A gift of roses is often an expression of LOVE and someone has said, "A life with love will have some thorns, but a life without love will have no roses."

God has provided us with a deep capacity to LOVE. However, that means we also have the capacity to hurt deeply. Though LOVE may remain faithful and genuine, it still sometimes hurts. Even when we consider the LOVE our Lord has for us, this is true.

In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi we read. . .
"(2) And walk in love, AS CHRIST LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF up for us, a fragrant offering and SACRIFICE to God." ( Ephesians 5:2)

Jesus' LOVE was the basis of fulfilling the Father's Will by enduring the cross for us. That LOVE was also associated with "a crown of thorns" ( Matthew 27:29) placed on His head. In the expressing of that LOVE was not only some physical pain, but also the risk of rejection. However, the possibility of rejection did not stop our Lord from carrying out the act. We too should not allow the possibility of pain to keep us from LOVING.

As John noted. . .
"We LOVE because HE FIRST LOVED US." ( 1 John 4:19 ESV)
Just as God chose to love us first (note also 1 John 4:10) -- with the desire for us to appropriately respond to His LOVE -- so we are to LOVE others as well. LOVE is powerful. May we therefore focus on what can bloom in spite of the thorns that may prick us.

Have a great day SHARING IN GOD'S BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Love