Resurrection Overflow – Love is a choice; I chose you!
Overflow
This Resurrection season has been unlike any other I’ve ever experienced, and it has impacted me in ways I didn’t realise I needed. With the circuit breaker in effect and me living alone, the traditions of being physically present in a spirited church service followed by a grand spread set-out for me to feast and fellowship with family or friends, were not options this year.
Still, the richness of God’s presence was unmistakable. It was as if He was saying, “ok, now that we have the distractions of routine and tradition out of the way and I have your attention, let me put some things into perspective.”
The weekend has ended, and I’ve been trying to switch out of Resurrection mode. Still, even now, as I sit to put content together for the various passion projects I’m committed to, the experience of this season continues to minister to me. I believe there is a reason for this, and so I’ve chosen to share in this space some of the truths I was reminded of this weekend.
Choices
Today, I’ll share the first of these reminders, which is: love is a choice!
No amount of human force could have held Jesus in bondage, and no number of nails could have kept Him on the cross, if He did not allow it. It was love that set the crucifixion in motion and it was love that saw to its execution.
For God so loved the world that He gave, His only begotten Son. John 3:16. “He gave”, His son wasn’t taken, God made a conscious decision to offer Jesus for our redemption. That is love! Love by choice!
John 10:17-18 further confirms that the acts of love demonstrated on the cross of calvary were the result of definitive choices that were made: “17For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back. 18 No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.” Here, the scripture highlights that Jesus chose to be obedient, unto death, Jesus chose to disregard the agony of the encounter at the cross, so that He could love on us.
On the Contrary
In the twisted world we live in, there are many constructs of love that are presented to us. Most of which focus on the emotional highs and pleasurable feelings we feel. I would challenge us to note that the desire to “feel” the emotions of love has a selfish origin. Love looks outward, love puts self’s “feelings” aside to focus on the best interest of others. Love does not start from the place of feelings, love starts with a choice. Now, don’t get me wrong, beyond the choice/decision to love, expressed acts of love and accompanying feelings will evidently be aligned.
The Heart of the Matter
I’m especially grateful that this Resurrection season has allowed me to journey to that place of remembrance so that I can bask in the love of my Master and Saviour. I’m grateful that this season has reminded me that I am loveable and that a great God saw this, and chose to love me. Beyond this, I am grateful that this love relationship that started over 2000 years ago is permanent, and that, despite any situation or circumstance, any flaws or failings on my part, over and over again, He still chooses to love!
