Jfirst Cause Weekly Inspirational
December 1, 2007
His Love is………. Part Two
Long – When I think of the word long, I think of never ending. If we were to make a line with no start or end point, that line would be infinite meaning without ending.
Think of the universe being a long line and the further we can see as humans the longer the line is. Scientists say the universe is expanding and stretching and they are right in the sense that it’s a never ending line and the only reason why people can even begin to grasp this concept has to do with our technology being at a point where we can see further into space. We can see a little bit farther now therefore, we can say the universe is expanding in an infinite line. I guess our friend and every little kid’s friend a few years back, Buzz Light Year was right when he said, “To infinity and beyond.”
When I think of love being long, I see love having no end when it is seen through Divine eyes. This would be from the perspective of God Almighty Himself because His Love is Long. People can only see so far when it comes to love. As a matter of fact, people only love God, themselves, others, or things because they were loved first. So I pose the question, can we love like God? Before you answer, hold that thought because we will get back to that question in part four of this series.
Last week, I mentioned God’s love being deep and tried to compare the Greek Word Eros which is romantic love as a glimpse of the all encompassing Deep Love of God. I also mentioned Jami Smith’s song entitled Your Love Is Deep because she paints a beautiful picture of God’s love. The third line of Your Love is Deep, Ms. Smith sings, “Your Love is long.” She adds to that mind blowing line with this line, “Longer than this road I travel.” Meaning whatever comes my way on this road called life; God is there because His Love is Long. I changed Your love is Long to His Love is Long because it’s that much more of a moving and overwhelming phrase when describing God’s Love. I will try and paint a picture of the Length of God’s Love in regard to Storge, the Greek word for family love.
This is part two of a four part series on God’s love that we will be covering the next four weeks.
Ephesians 3:14-19 (New International Version)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
His Love is………. Part Two
Long – When I think of the word long, I think of never ending. If we were to make a line with no start or end point, that line would be infinite meaning without ending.
Think of the universe being a long line and the further we can see as humans the longer the line is. Scientists say the universe is expanding and stretching and they are right in the sense that it’s a never ending line and the only reason why people can even begin to grasp this concept has to do with our technology being at a point where we can see further into space. We can see a little bit farther now therefore, we can say the universe is expanding in an infinite line. I guess our friend and every little kid’s friend a few years back, Buzz Light Year was right when he said, “To infinity and beyond.”
When I think of love being long, I see love having no end when it is seen through Divine eyes. This would be from the perspective of God Almighty Himself because His Love is Long. People can only see so far when it comes to love. As a matter of fact, people only love God, themselves, others, or things because they were loved first. So I pose the question, can we love like God? Before you answer, hold that thought because we will get back to that question in part four of this series.
Last week, I mentioned God’s love being deep and tried to compare the Greek Word Eros which is romantic love as a glimpse of the all encompassing Deep Love of God. I also mentioned Jami Smith’s song entitled Your Love Is Deep because she paints a beautiful picture of God’s love. The third line of Your Love is Deep, Ms. Smith sings, “Your Love is long.” She adds to that mind blowing line with this line, “Longer than this road I travel.” Meaning whatever comes my way on this road called life; God is there because His Love is Long. I changed Your love is Long to His Love is Long because it’s that much more of a moving and overwhelming phrase when describing God’s Love. I will try and paint a picture of the Length of God’s Love in regard to Storge, the Greek word for family love.
This is part two of a four part series on God’s love that we will be covering the next four weeks.
Ephesians 3:14-19 (New International Version)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
The Apostle Paul is praying from his heart for the Ephesians church. He is digging deep within the inmost reaches of his soul for God to take the Ephesians to another level in their walk with God. Paul wants the Ephesians to see and experience the power of God so they will be able to see and grasp how long the love of Christ is for them. Paul wants them to be all they can be for Jesus Christ and he knows that will become a reality with them going deeper and longer in the love of Christ.
When I think of the Love of God being long, I think of a lesser love called Storge from C.S. Lewis’s book, The Four Loves. C.S. Lewis defines Storge as simply affection especially for family members. When we see this love in full force, we see a parent’s love for their child and a child’s love for their parents.
When storge is present, you notice how you much desire to just hang out with your family and that is a reflection of God’s love because His Love is Long.
When storge is present, you endure the shortcomings of your family because they are your family and that is a reflection of God’s love because His Love is Long.
- I learned this the hard way about ten years ago when Christy Ried was my girlfriend in college down in San Diego. Christy and I had been dating about 6 months at the time and we had been having some problems with our personalities being different. I remember one time she mentioned to me that I was just like her older sister Heidi when it came to my personality and she said Heidi got on her nerves similar to me getting on her nerves but that she had no choice but to love Heidi because they were family but that she had a choice to love me or not to love me and she was leaning toward cutting me loose. What she was saying to me loud and clear was that blood is thicker than water and I had better shape up or she will be shipping out at anytime.
When storge is present, you smile at the memories of what you and your have been through together be it good times or bad times and that is a reflection of God’s love because His Love is Long.
When storge is present, you enjoy the uniqueness of all your family members whether it be the serious things or the goofy things and that is a reflection of God’s love because His Love is Long.
When storge is present, you appreciate the people you call family who just happen to be there through the highs and lows of life and that is a reflection of God’s love because His Love is Long.
This affection love toward family is long because it goes the extra mile. When I think of my family, I think of my mom’s love for me because she always goes the extra mile to offer her love and support to me. My mother died when I was 15 years old so the mom I am referring to is my second mom, my grandma. When love seems a little bit short, grandma's love stretches long enough just to touch me when I need it. Now storge is only but a reflection of the Length of God’s Love because our family only loves us because they are our family but God loves us period because His Love is just a little bit Longer.
When it comes to storge, you are constantly reminded of how odd the people you call family are but how they are worth far more than you would have guessed and that is only but a reflection of God’s love because storge has a beginning and an ending that is limited to this life however, when it comes to His Love, It’s just a little bit Longer.
The Challenge – This week, think of much you love your family and let them know about it then think of His love for you, your family, and all of the world because His Love is Long.
Focus on going the extra mile with the people in your life this week because in doing this, you will be putting the biggest smile on God’s face because His Love is Long and He goes the extra mile with you when it comes to your shortcomings.
Reflect on the things that are long and drawn out in life, write them down and rejoice because His love is just a little bit Longer.
When storge is present, you enjoy the uniqueness of all your family members whether it be the serious things or the goofy things and that is a reflection of God’s love because His Love is Long.
When storge is present, you appreciate the people you call family who just happen to be there through the highs and lows of life and that is a reflection of God’s love because His Love is Long.
This affection love toward family is long because it goes the extra mile. When I think of my family, I think of my mom’s love for me because she always goes the extra mile to offer her love and support to me. My mother died when I was 15 years old so the mom I am referring to is my second mom, my grandma. When love seems a little bit short, grandma's love stretches long enough just to touch me when I need it. Now storge is only but a reflection of the Length of God’s Love because our family only loves us because they are our family but God loves us period because His Love is just a little bit Longer.
When it comes to storge, you are constantly reminded of how odd the people you call family are but how they are worth far more than you would have guessed and that is only but a reflection of God’s love because storge has a beginning and an ending that is limited to this life however, when it comes to His Love, It’s just a little bit Longer.
The Challenge – This week, think of much you love your family and let them know about it then think of His love for you, your family, and all of the world because His Love is Long.
Focus on going the extra mile with the people in your life this week because in doing this, you will be putting the biggest smile on God’s face because His Love is Long and He goes the extra mile with you when it comes to your shortcomings.
Reflect on the things that are long and drawn out in life, write them down and rejoice because His love is just a little bit Longer.
Be Blessed,
Joey
PS: If you need prayer, write you requests in the comments section of the blog and we will pray for those needs. Let us know when God answers your prayers by sending your testimonies.
If you haven't received Jesus Christ yet and you want to, pray this prayer with me. Dear God I admit I am a sinner in need of a Savior and I believe that Savior is Jesus Christ. I confess Jesus today as my Lord and Savior and commit my life to Him. I pray this in the name of Jesus Amen.
Let us know if you received Christ so we can rejoice with you because it’s the greatest thing you will ever do in this life.
Joey,
great post. i found a blog that you might like:
www.radiusmiami.typepad.com/how_might_life_be_differe
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