Love That Doesn't Walk Away
I have come to believe that love is different in the Kingdom.
We live in a culture where relationships can become conditional. I'll remain close to you as long as we agree. As long as you don't disappoint me. As long as the relationship continues to meet my expectations.
But that isn't how the Father has loved me.
His love has pursued me through rebellion, failure, disappointment and seasons when I wasn't pursuing Him at all.
And if I have received that kind of love, shouldn't it begin changing the way I love others?
Kingdom love doesn't mean pretending differences don't exist. It doesn't require us to approve of every decision another person makes. There may even be circumstances when wisdom requires distance.
But distance doesn't require us to stop loving.
Love is different in the Kingdom. It is covenantal.
We don't simply turn it on when relationships are comfortable and turn it off when they become difficult.
There are people whom God has allowed into my life who now possess a piece of my heart. Circumstances may change. Geography may separate us. Disagreements may arise. Some may even choose to walk away.
But love doesn't have to walk away with them.
Nancy and I have learned that we can leave the door of our hearts open even when someone chooses, for whatever reason, not to walk through it.
Perhaps that is one of the ways we begin to resemble our Father.
He doesn't love us because we have performed correctly enough to earn a place in His heart.
He loves because love is who He is.
And having received that love, we are invited to give it away.
Differences are secondary to covenant.
~Randy